Final answer:
The main greenhouse gases listed in order of importance are Water Vapor, Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide, and Ozone, with human activities significantly increasing their concentrations and contributing to global warming and climate change.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main greenhouse gases in order of importance, based on their effect on climate change and the enhanced greenhouse effect, are:
- Water Vapor - Responsible for about 80% of the natural greenhouse effect.
- Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) - The most significant greenhouse gas in terms of its effect on climate change due to its abundance and persistence in the atmosphere.
- Methane (CH₄) - A potent greenhouse gas, but less abundant than carbon dioxide.
- Nitrous Oxide (N₂O) - Also contributes to the greenhouse effect, though to a lesser extent than the previous gases.
- Ozone (O₃) - Plays a role in the greenhouse effect but is concentrated mostly in the stratosphere.
Human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, have increased concentrations of these gases in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and climate change.