Greenhouse gas

As a greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide reduces the rate at which thermal energy escapes from Earth to space and contributes to global warming. Burning fuels that contain sulfur can also release sulfur dioxide, which contributes to acid rain. These are distinct effects: cutting sulfur dioxide would not, by itself, solve the carbon dioxide problem.

Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane and water vapour. An increase in greenhouse gases can reduce the rate at which energy escapes to space. While absorbed power exceeds emitted power, Earth warms; a higher temperature then produces more intense emission until a new balance is approached.