Greenhouse gases and atmospheric pollutants GapFill

Gases in the atmosphere which absorb energy radiated by Earth's surface are called  incubator gasesconservatory gaseshothouse gasesvacuum gasessummerhouse gasesgreenhouse gases. They let short-wave radiation from the Sun pass through, but trap longer wavelength  microwavegammaultravioletradiowaveinfraredX-ray radiation emitted by Earth, thereby raising its  magnetismpressuregravityradioactivitytemperaturehumidity.

The main gases which are responsible for global warming are  argonhydrogenoxygennitrogencarbon monoxidecarbon dioxide and methane. The abundance of these gases in the atmosphere has been increasing recently, mainly due to the burning of fossil fuels combined with the removal of  carbon pitscarbon sinkscarbon storescarbon poolscarbon trapscarbon deposits by deforestation, which reduces the amount of  combustionprecipitationsedimentationdecompositionphotosynthesisrespiration taking place. Although most scientists think that these increases will have dramatic effects on Earth, such as rising  biodiversitycar pricesHIV transmissionsea levelspopulation levelsvolcanic activity, others disagree, arguing that it is difficult to  monitorpreventgeneralisejustifypredictnotice the effects we will face.

A  carbon footprintcarbon trailcarbon whispercarbon handprintcarbon impressioncarbon shadow is the total amount of carbon dioxide (and other similar gases) released by a product during its life cycle. It is important that we try to minimise this where we can to counteract climate change, e.g. changing our diets to reduce the global demand for  beefvegetablesgrainalcoholfishtofu may substantially reduce methane emissions. This is, however, not always easy to do because most global agreements were not signed by  developingAsiannorthern hemisphereSouth Americandevelopedsouthern hemisphere countries, which are now having a greater impact on the environment as they develop.

All fossil fuels contain some amount of  carbonhydrogenoxygenheliumsulfurphosphorus. This can form a harmful gas which, along with oxides of nitrogen formed in hot engines, is responsible for many respiratory issues in people and the formation of  acid raintoxic rainlava rainalkali rainpoison rainpungent rain, a pollutant which corrodes buildings and damages wildlife. Fossil fuels can also burn incompletely to produce  particulatessolidatesradio particlesmonoxidescarbon grainsdimmers, solid particles which can contribute to global dimming, and  nitrogenhydrogen chlorideargonhydrogenxenoncarbon monoxide, a colourless, odourless gas which is toxic to animals.