greenhouse gas

plural greenhouse gases · plural greenhouse gasses

1. countableuncountableAny gas (such as carbon dioxide, a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), or methane) that contributes to the greenhouse effect when released into the atmosphere by absorbing infrared radiation emitted by a planet's surface, thus increasing the surface temperature.

   Only two greenhouse gases get much attention.

   5 more examples

   Termites and cows account for much greenhouse gas.

   Models of the climate system serve as the primary means for developing quantitative estimates of the effects of increasing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and other trace gases. Since increases in the concentrations of CO₂ and other "greenhouse" gases lead to changes in the radiation field, the treatment of radiative processes is the natural starting point for comparison of model studies.

   1983, “Summary of Significant Achievements in Principal Thrusts FY 1983”, in National Climate Program: 1983 National Report, Rockville, Md.: National Climate Program Office, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 22, column 1

   CFC's are very efficient greenhouse gases. The addition of one molecule each of CFC-11 and CFC-12 gives a greenhouse warming of more than 10⁴ molecules of CO₂.

   1986, R. T. Watson, M. A. Geller, R. S. Stolarski, R. F. Hampson, “Trace Gas Effects and Climate”, in Present State of Knowledge of the Upper Atmosphere: An Assessment Report (NASA Reference Publication; 1162), Washington, D.C.: Scientific and Technical Information Branch, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, →OCLC, page 118

   Biological scientists are aware that increased atmospheric carbon dioxide and trace gas concentrations would also have direct effects on plant growth as well as indirect effects through warming. […] Consideration of potential impacts must include the direct effects of "greenhouse" gas concentrations as well as climate warming.

   1991, Warren Williams, “Book Reviews: Impact of Carbon Dioxide, Trace Gases, and Climate Change on Global Agriculture. Edited by B. A. Kimball, Chair … (et al.) Published in 1990 by American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and Soil Science Society of America, 677 South Segoe Road, Madison WI 53711, USA. ASA Special Publication Number 53, 133 Pages, 8 Chapters.”, in Gill Sutherland, Sandra Stanislawek, editors, New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, volume 34, number 3, Wellington: Scientific and Industrial Research Publishing of New Zealand, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 364, column 1

   Rapidly developing nations such as China and India are not required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, despite their large and growing use of fossil fuels.

   2015, Steven A. Ackerman, John A. Knox, “Climate Forecasting”, in Meteorology: Understanding the Atmosphere, 4th edition, Burlington, Mass.: Jones & Bartlett Learning, →ISBN, page 520

   Synonyms: GHG