Between 50 and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions come from the burning of fossil fuels. This is because burning coal, oil and natural gas release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Fossil fuels are burnt in power stations to produce electricity, they are made into fuels for transport and also used in building, heating, and manufacturing. The use of them has increased because of population growth and increased economic development, meaning there are more people able to afford vehicles, flights, home heating, and manufactured goods.
The manufacture and use of these releases another greenhouse gas to the atmosphere, nitrous oxide. Therefore, increased use of fossil fuels and changes in agriculture have both contributed to the increase in global temperatures because they have both caused the release of more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
