Greenhouse effect

The atmosphere contains gases, the so-called greenhouse gases, which absorb certain portions of the heat radiation (infrared radiation) emitted by the earth and re- emit heat radiation in all directions. This results in a proportionate re-radiation effect of the heat radiation in the direction of the earth, which leads to an increase in the temperature on earth.

The strongest greenhouse effect comes from gaseous water in the atmosphere, but humans have little influence on this. Therefore, it makes sense to focus climate protection on greenhouse gases that are caused by humans or can be influenced by them. The Kyoto Protocol (UN 2005) lists six greenhouse gases whose emissions must be regulated, with an addition from 2015: Greenhouse gases Natural gases: Carbon dioxide CO 2 Methane CH 4 Nitrous oxide N 2 O Fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases): hydrogen-containing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) perfluorinated hydrocarbons (PFC) sulfur hexafluoride SF6 From 2015 additionally: Nitrogen trifluoride NF3

The earth's climate is influenced by this so-called greenhouse effect. The gases act like a greenhouse that does not allow part of the radiated heat to escape.