What is greenhouse effect ? Explain the major contributors which cause this effect.

The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon that occurs when certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat from the sun, preventing it from escaping back into space. These gases, known as greenhouse gases, act like a blanket around the planet, warming the surface and creating the conditions necessary for life to exist. While the greenhouse effect is essential for maintaining Earth's temperature within a range conducive to life, human activities have intensified this effect, leading to global warming and climate change.

Major contributors to the greenhouse effect include:

1. Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas emitted by human activities, particularly through the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes. Deforestation and land-use changes also release CO2 into the atmosphere as trees, which absorb CO2 during photosynthesis, are removed.

2. Methane (CH4): Methane is another potent greenhouse gas with a much higher heat-trapping ability than CO2 over shorter time frames. It is emitted from sources such as agriculture (livestock digestion and manure management), landfills, natural gas production and distribution, and rice paddies.

3. Nitrous Oxide (N2O): Nitrous oxide is primarily released from agricultural activities, including the use of synthetic fertilizers, livestock manure management, and biomass burning. Industrial processes and combustion of fossil fuels also contribute to N2O emissions.

4. Fluorinated Gases: Fluorinated gases, including hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), are synthetic gases used in refrigeration, air conditioning, insulation, and electronics manufacturing. Despite their relatively low concentrations in the atmosphere, these gases have high global warming potentials and can persist in the atmosphere for long periods.

5. Water Vapor: Although water vapor is the most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, its concentration is primarily controlled by natural processes such as evaporation and condensation. While human activities do not directly emit water vapor, they can indirectly influence its concentration through activities that alter the Earth's surface, such as deforestation and urbanization.

These greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation emitted by the Earth's surface, trapping heat in the atmosphere and causing a warming effect known as global warming. The intensified greenhouse effect resulting from human activities has led to rising global temperatures, melting ice caps and glaciers, more frequent and severe weather events, shifts in precipitation patterns, and disruptions to ecosystems and biodiversity. Addressing the sources of greenhouse gas emissions is crucial for mitigating climate change and reducing its impacts on the planet and society.