Understanding GHG, Greenhouse Gases are gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. This section contains data on the primary greenhouse gases’ emissions and removals from the atmosphere.
What are the Main Greenhouse Gases ?
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is released into the atmosphere as a result of the combustion of fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and oil), solid waste, trees, and other biological materials, as well as chemical processes (e.g., manufacture of cement). When carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants as part of the biological carbon cycle, it is removed from the atmosphere (or “sequestered”).
Methane (CH4) is emitted during coal, natural gas, and oil production and transportation. Livestock and other agricultural techniques, land use, and the breakdown of organic material in municipal solid waste landfills all contribute to methane emissions.
Nitrous oxide (N2O) is emitted during agricultural, land use, and industrial operations, as well as during the combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste, and during wastewater treatment.
Fluorinated gases: Hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and nitrogen trifluoride are synthetic, powerful greenhouse gases that are emitted from a variety of industrial processes. Fluorinated gases are sometimes used as substitutes for stratospheric ozone-depleting substances (e.g., chlorofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, and halons). These gases are typically emitted in smaller quantities, but because they are potent greenhouse gases, they are sometimes referred to as High Global Warming Potential gases (“High GWP gases”).
Understanding GWP (Global Warming Potential)
The global warming potential of a gas is defined as the overall contribution to the global warming caused by the emission of one unit of that gas compared to one unit of the reference gas, carbon dioxide, which has a value of one.
Understanding Greenhouse Effect
The greenhouse effect is the process through which “greenhouse gases” trap heat at the Earth’s surface. These heat-trapping gases act as a blanket over the Earth, keeping it warmer than it would be if it weren’t for them. Carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxides are examples of greenhouse gases.
Greenhouse gases are produced naturally and are a component of our atmosphere’s makeup. Earth is known as the “Goldilocks” planet because it is neither too hot nor too cold, and the temperatures are just right for life, including humans, to thrive. The naturally occurring greenhouse effect, which keeps the globe at a pleasant 15 °C (59 °F) on average, is part of what makes Earth so hospitable. However, people have been meddling with the planet’s energy balance for the past century or two, primarily through the burning of fossil fuels, which releases extra carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
