Portuguese Phrase
O que a gente faz libera gases de efeito estufa.
Meaning
The sentence points out that our actions cause the emission of greenhouse gases, emphasizing personal responsibility for climate impact.
When to use
Use this phrase when discussing the environmental impact of daily habits, in a debate about climate change, or in a casual conversation about how our lifestyle contributes to greenhouse‑gas emissions.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Oqueagentefazliberagasesdeefeitoestufa
O que (relative pronoun)
"O que" introduces a relative clause meaning "what" or "that which".
a gente (informal "we")
"A gente" is a colloquial way to say "we" and takes third‑person singular verb forms.
faz (3rd person singular of fazer)
Because "a gente" is singular in grammar, the verb must be conjugated in the third person singular.
libera (3rd person singular of liberar)
The verb agrees with the singular subject "o que a gente faz".
gases de efeito estufa (noun phrase)
A compound noun meaning "greenhouse gases"; "de" links the two nouns.
🗨In Conversation
O que a gente faz libera gases de efeito estufa.
What we do releases greenhouse gases.
Então precisamos mudar nossos hábitos.
Then we need to change our habits.
✕Common Mistakes
O que a gente fazemos libera gases de efeito estufa.
When using "a gente", the verb must stay in third‑person singular; "fazemos" is a plural form that conflicts with the subject.
O que a gente faz liberam gases de efeito estufa.
The subject "o que a gente faz" is singular, so the verb should be singular "libera".
↔Alternatives
Nossas ações liberam gases de efeito estufa.
Our actions release greenhouse gases.
O que fazemos emite gases de efeito estufa.
What we do emits greenhouse gases.
Tudo o que a gente faz gera gases de efeito estufa.
Everything we do generates greenhouse gases.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, "a gente" is the most common informal way to say "we" and always takes third‑person singular verbs, even though it refers to a group. In formal writing you would use "nós" with plural verbs (e.g., "Nós fazemos").