Greenhouse gases are gases in the atmosphere that trap heat from the sun. This natural “greenhouse effect” keeps Earth warm enough for life.
The problem begins when human activities — like burning coal, oil, and gas, cutting forests, and running industries — add too much of these gases, especially carbon dioxide and methane. The heat-trapping blanket gets thicker, so more warmth stays on the planet instead of escaping into space.
The result? Rising temperatures, changing rainfall, stronger storms, stressed ecosystems, and growing risks to food, water, health, and cities.
Greenhouse gases aren’t bad by nature — but too much of them changes the climate system we depend on.
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