In recent decades, many studies have shown that the overall temperature of the Earth is increasing. Most of these studies have blamed greenhouse gases.
However, human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels, have significantly altered the concentration of these gases. This article will discuss the important role of GHGs in maintaining the Earth’s climate and also how they contribute to the climate crisis.
What are Greenhouse Gases?
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are naturally occurring components of the Earth’s atmosphere that play a role in regulating the planet’s temperature and supporting life. Greenhouse gases are atmospheric gases that trap heat, contributing to the greenhouse effect. Without these gases, the Earth’s average temperature would be about 33°C lower, making the planet inhospitable for most forms of life. The major greenhouse gases include:
- Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): The most concentrated GHG, naturally produced by living organisms through respiration. In addition, CO2 is also produced in large quantities from the fossil fuels combustion.
- Methane (CH₄): Released during fossil fuel production, agriculture, and waste decomposition.
- Nitrous Oxide (N₂O): Emitted from agricultural and industrial activities.
- Water Vapor: Although it’s the most abundant GHG, it is primarily a natural component of the atmosphere.
- Synthetic Gases: These include potent, human-made chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
Each of these gases has varying capacities to trap heat, influencing global warming to different extents. For example, methane is about 25 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period.
Getting to Know More About the Greenhouse Effect
The greenhouse effect is a natural mechanism that helps keep the Earth’s surface temperature warm. This process begins when the Earth absorbs energy from solar radiation, which then heats the planet’s surface.
Once the Earth’s surface is warm, the Earth radiates some of the heat back into the atmosphere as infrared radiation. At this stage, greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor in the atmosphere play an important role by absorbing some of the infrared radiation.
After absorbing radiation, these gases radiate the heat back in all directions, including back to the Earth’s surface. This process causes the Earth’s temperature to rise, keeping the planet warm and suitable for organism to live.
However, increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases due to human activities amplify this effect, ultimately leading to global warming.
Human Impact on the Carbon Cycle
CO₂, the primary greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, follows a cycle that helps regulate its levels and prevent excessive accumulation. Human activities, particularly since the Industrial Revolution, have greatly disrupted the carbon cycle, leading to an imbalance between the release and absorption of CO₂ in nature.
The burning of fossil fuels and deforestation have increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels by more than 50% since the 18th century, significantly impacting climate change. The rising concentration of CO₂ and other greenhouse gases has been the primary driver of global warming observed over the past century. Currently, the rate of CO₂ accumulation is approximately 100 times faster than the natural increase seen at the end of the last ice age.
Projections indicate that if this trend continues, atmospheric CO₂ could reach about 560 ppm by the middle of this century, potentially causing a temperature rise of 2°C and 5°C above pre-industrial levels. These statistics highlight the need for urgent global efforts to reduce GHG emissions and effectively combat climate change.
In response, nearly all countries have committed to transitioning industrial processes toward low emissions and aiming for net-zero emissions to prevent the climate crisis.
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Reference:
Blasing, T. J., & Smith, K. (2016). Recent greenhouse gas concentrations.
Artaxo, P., Berntsen, T., Betts, R., Fahey, D. W., Haywood, J., Lean, J., … & Prinn, R. (2007). Changes in atmos-pheric constituents and in radiative forcing.
U.S. Global Change Research Program. (2009). 2000 Years of Greenhouse Gas Concentrations. accessed online at 29/09/2024 from https://nca2009.globalchange.gov/2000-years-greenhouse-gas- concentrations/index.html
Lai, S. (2021) “Why Is The World Warming: An Introduction to Climate Change and Impact of Food.” What’s Up in Science?. https://sites.northwestern.edu/scienheal/2021/03/13/ why-is-the-world-warming-an-introduction-to-climate-change-and-impact-of-food/.
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