It Begins with a ray of light, shot-through space from the staggering inferno of Our sun. Sunbeam That Delivers energy to earth, Giving us light and warmth and life. As Some of this energy radiating back Toward space as heat, a portion is Absorbed by a delicate balance of heat-trapping (or "greenhouse") gases in the atmosphere create an INSULATING That layer. Without the temperature control of this greenhouse effect, the Earth's average surface temperature would be 0 F (-18 C), a temperature so low That the Earth would be frozen and Could not sustain human life as we know it. The most abundant of the greenhouse gases is water vapor.
In Addition, There Are Other Powerful greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and nitrous oxide. Each of These is a natural part of the never-ending cycle of life, death, and decomposition on Earth. But Since the onset of the Industrial Revolution Humans Have Been pumping out more and more of These and Other greenhouse gases. Scientists are clear: Human Activities Contributing to global warming are by Adding Large Amounts of heat-trapping gases to the atmosphere. Our fossil fuel use is the main source of These gases. Every time we drive a car, use Electricity from coal-fired power plants, or heat Our homes with oil or natural gas, we release carbon dioxide and Other heat-trapping gases Into the air. The second most important greenhouse Addition of gases to the atmosphere is related to deforestation, Mainly in the tropics, as well as Other land-use changes.