Under normal conditions, most of the solar radiation reaching the Earth’s surface is radiated back toward space. However, atmospheric greenhouse gases—like CO2 , CH4 , and ozone—can trap this energy and prevent the heat from escaping, somewhat like the glass panels of a greenhouse. Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are necessary to life as we know it because they keep the planet’s surface warmer than it would otherwise be. However, as the concentrations of these gases continue to increase in the atmosphere, largely due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil, the Earth’s
Greenhouse temperature is climbing above past levels. Such changes in temperature, along with changes in precipitation and other weather conditions due to climate change, may lead to even higher air pollution levels.