1. Not all gases have the same behavior Some gases are greenhouse gases. Most of the gases in the atmosphere do not absorb long wave radiation.

2. The Greenhouse Effect The Greenhouse effect in an actual greenhouse: short wavelength radiation (visible light) is allowed in and absorbed by the ground and plants it is then re-radiated as long wavelength radiation (infrared). The greenhouse gas serves to absorb some of this infrared radiation and re- emit it back into the greenhouse, This traps some energy and making it warmer in the greenhouse

3. Greenhouse GasMain sources Water Vapor (H 2 0)Water in the air as clouds or vapor Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Burning fossil fuels, deforestation, land use changes, respiration, volcanic eruption Methane (CH 4 )Decomposition of wastes in landfills, agriculture (especially rice production), cattle digestion, manure management Nitrous Oxide (N 2 O)Soil cultivation practices (how we grow plants), use of fertilizers, burning fossil fuels, biomass burning, microbial denitrification Major Greenhouse Gases and their Sources

5. In this figure, the top pie graph shows the total amount of annual global greenhouse gas emission from different sources. The bottom three pie graphs show the breakdown for each of three greenhouse gases in comparison to the total. Seventy two percent (72%) of the total greenhouse gases emitted was carbon dioxide, 18% methane and 9% nitrous oxide. Use the color pattern in the upper pie graph to determine which source is represented in the lower pie graphs.