Greenhouse gases are gases in the Earths atmosphere that trap heat, leading to the greenhouse effect and contributing to the warming of the planets surface. The main greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and water vapor. These gases absorb the wavelengths of radiation emitted by the Earth, resulting in the retention of heat in the atmosphere. Human activities, such as the combustion of fossil fuels, industrial processes, and changes in land use, have significantly increased the concentrations of these gases in the atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate change.