Final answer:
Sources of greenhouse gases besides oil and coal include deforestation, methane from organic decomposition in anaerobic conditions, landfills, and natural gas fields, as well as gases like nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and ozone.
Step-by-step explanation:
Besides oil and coal, there are several other sources of greenhouse gases. Deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels have augmented the quantity of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere such as nitrous oxide, methane, and carbon dioxide. These gases trap heat similarly to the glass panels of a greenhouse, allowing shortwave solar radiation in but preventing long-wave heat radiation from escaping into space.
Human activities release significant amounts of methane and carbon dioxide. Methane is generated when bacteria decompose organic matter under anaerobic conditions, prevalent in places like rice paddies, the intestines of herbivores, or as a result of the decomposition of organic material in landfills. It can also be released from natural gas fields and the melting of oceanic clathrates.
Additionally, other gases like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), ozone, and nitrous oxide also contribute to the enhanced greenhouse effect. Since the Industrial Revolution, human actions such as the burning of fossil fuels and extensive deforestation have increased the concentration of these heat-trapping gases, affecting the energy balance and leading to a potential change in Earth's climate.