Greenhouse Gas

A gas that absorbs energy from the sun (solar radiation) and also emits (or returns) so of the energy causing the greenhouse effect of global heating, global warming and climate change. The main greenhouse gases are:
• Water vapour (H2O): whilst this is the largest (and a natural) contributor to the greenhouse effect, its impact is amplified by increasing air temperatures as a result of human activity, which increases the amount of water vapour within the atmosphere.
• Carbon dioxide (CO2): This is the second most important gas, naturally occurring but also from human activities such as the combustion of fossil fuels.
• Methane (CH4): Arising from natural gas leakage and fossil fuel combustion, as well as from animals and farming.
• Nitrous oxide (N2O): Arising from natural sources, such as animals, and human made, such as from sewage works, fertiliser use and fossil fuel combustion in engines.
• Ozone (O3): Arising from natural gas and human activities.
• Fluorocarbons: including Chlorofluorocarbons, Hydrofluorocarbons, and others, all of which are created by humans and do not occur naturally. They have an extremely powerful and detrimental impact on the greenhouse effect.

Grounds management activities contribute either directly or indirectly to greenhouse gas emissions. Assessing and reducing the impact activities have in contributing to these emissions can lead to more responsible use of resources within the context of climate change.