The role of atmospheric gases in global warming

The purpose of this opening chapter of this book is to explain in simple terms what the greenhouse effect is, what its origins are, and what the properties of greenhouse gases are. I will restrict this chapter to an explanation of the physical chemistry of greenhouse gases and the greenhouse effect, and not delve too much into the politics of ‘what should or should not be done’. However, one simple message to convey at the onset is that the greenhouse effect is not just about concentration levels of carbon dioxide, CO\(_2\), and it is too simplistic to believe that all our problems will be solved if we can reduce CO\(_2\) concentrations by x % in y years. Shine has also commented many times that there is much more to the greenhouse effect than carbon dioxide levels.