However, during the industrial revolution in Europe in the 19th century, the people began altering the climate and environment through changed agricultural and industrial practices. Before the industrial revolution , human activity released very few gases into the atmosphere, but now through population growth, fossil fuel burning, and deforestation we are affecting the mixture of gases in the atmosphere. Energy from the sun drives the earth's weather and climate, and heats its earth's surface. In turn, the earth radiates energy back into space. 60 F. However, problems may arise when the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases increases.
Some greenhouse gases occur naturally in the atmosphere while others result from human activities.
The naturally occurring greenhouse gases include water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone. Methane is emitted during the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil. Methane emissions also result from the decomposition of organic wastes in municipal solid waste landfills, and the raising of livestock. Nitrous oxide is emitted during agricultural and industrial activities as well as during combustion of solid waste and fossil fuels. Each greenhouse gas differs in its ability to absorb heat in the atmosphere.