The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon,  gases including water vapour, carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) build up in the lower atmosphere trapping heat to maintain a stable temperature that allows life on earth to flourish.

Excessive production of greenhouse gases from activities such as burning fossil fuels, land clearing and increased farming, results in more heat being trapped in the atmosphere causing average temperatures to rise, leading to global warming. This global warming is evidenced by changes to our environment and weather patterns and, if left unchecked, could seriously affect life on our earth.