Higher ultraviolet radiation can also harm plants and animals. Gases that stay in the air for a long time, and warm up the planet by trapping sunlight. Some of the important greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Carbon dioxide is the most important greenhouse gas, and it comes from the burning of fossil fuels in cars, power plants, houses, and industry. Methane is released during the processing of fossil fuels, and also comes from natural sources like cows and rice paddies.
Nitrous oxide comes from industrial sources and decaying plants.
The greenhouse effect can lead to changes in the climate of the planet. Some of these changes might include more temperature extremes, higher sea levels, changes in forest composition, and damage to land near the coast. Human health might be affected by diseases that are related to temperature, or by damage to land and water. Jonathan Levy, Harvard School of Public Health. Based on information provided by the Environmental Protection Agency.