Greenhouse Gases Ecological Society of America 02.01.01 Greenhouse gases trap the heat of the sun, impacting the temperature on Earth. The four major greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluoro-carbons. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the largest contributor to global warming. Its primary source is the burning of fossil fuels (such as gas, coal, and oil) for energy and trans-portation. Changing land-use patterns through agriculture and deforestation also contribute to emissions of CO2. Sources of methane (CH4) emissions include rice farming, domestic animals, natural gas and coal production, and land fills. The use of nitrogenous fertilizers, the production of nylon, and sewage treatment plants are all sources of nitrous oxide (N2O). Fluorocarbon emissions result from human-made chemicals used primarily for refrigeration and insulation. Prepared by the Ecology Society of America   1707 H St., NW   Suite 400   Washington, DC 20006 ©2001 The Aurora Collection, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Site Development by: Interactive Multimedia. Inc.