What is the role of greenhouse gases in climate change?

Greenhouse gases play a crucial role in climate change by trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere. These gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, allow sunlight to enter the atmosphere but prevent some of the outgoing heat from escaping back into space. This process is known as the greenhouse effect. It is essential for maintaining the Earth's temperature since, without it, the planet would be too cold to support life as we know it.

The enhanced greenhouse effect, driven primarily by increased concentrations of these gases due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, has led to a rise in global temperatures, contributing to climate change. As the Earth's surface warms, it can lead to various environmental impacts, including melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and changes in weather patterns.

Other options relate to different environmental issues but do not accurately describe the function of greenhouse gases. For instance, greenhouse gases do not deplete the ozone layer, which is primarily affected by substances like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Additionally, while greenhouse gases can have some direct health impacts, their primary role is not to produce harmful pollutants, but rather to regulate atmospheric temperatures. Lastly, they do not cool the Earth’s surface; in fact, they