Flexi Says: Gases that absorb heat in the atmosphere are called greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor (H2O), methane (CH4), ozone (O3), nitrous oxides (NO and NO2), and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). All are a normal part of the atmosphere except CFCs. Different greenhouse gases have different abilities to trap heat. For example, one CH4 molecule traps 23 times as much heat as one CO2 molecule. One CFC-12 molecule (a type of CFC) traps 10,600 times as much heat as one CO2. Human actions such as burning fossil fuels have increased the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The added gases have caused a greater greenhouse effect. The result is increased global warming.
