Greenhouse gases; effects of emission

Introduction

Weather and climate are two words used interchangeably. However, what happens when these terms change not as a word but as an impact. Yes, that is going to happen and happening in this twenty-first century. Scientists declared that the planet would experience heat waves like never before. One of the significant impacts is greenhouse gas emission. The word itself nurtures green, but we humans changed everything. The increase in the emission of greenhouse gas resulted in global warming. Let us see an overview of greenhouse gases and the effect of emissions.

What is climate change?

Climate change is a transformation in the weather that either directly or indirectly changes the atmosphere as a long-term shift. These changes are caused by burning fossil fuels, coal, and gas, producing heat-trapping gases.

What is Greenhouse gases (GHGs)

Greenhouse gas absorbs radiation from the earth’s surface and redirects it back to the surface. Greenhouse gases aid the planet to be warmer. Gases that trap heat are called greenhouse gases. It acts as a shield for the earth’s atmosphere.

Greenhouse effect

It is a natural process and refers to the heating effect of the atmosphere due to greenhouse gases. Thermal radiation is the major reason behind the greenhouse effect. 

List of greenhouse gases:

Natural gases

1. Methane (CH4)
2. Ozone (O₃)
3. Carbon dioxide (CO2)
4. Nitrous oxide (N2O)
5. Water vapour (H2O)

Fluorinated gases

1. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs and HCFCs)
2. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
3. Perfluorocarbons (CF4, C2F6, etc.), SF6, and NF3

1. Water Vapour

The most essential and abundant greenhouse gases in the planet’s atmosphere trap half of the earth’s greenhouse effect and are not connected to human activities directly. It absorbs both incoming and outgoing solar radiation.

2. Carbon dioxide

It is a primary greenhouse gas present as part of the carbon cycle and makes the earth an occupiable planet. 

3. Methane: 

It is more effective at trapping infrared radiation and potent greenhouse gas. It serves as a blanket to the earth’s atmosphere. Though they have less atmospheric concentration, they stay up to 8years in the atmospheric residence.

4. Nitrous Oxide

It involves the process of tropospheric ozone, which is a greenhouse gas. It is a chemically inert gas and stays for about 120 years in the troposphere before entering the stratosphere.

5. Ozone

One of the essential gases is a significantly smaller portion of the atmosphere.

6. CFCs and HCFCs

Fluorinated gases are potent greenhouse gases and are responsible for destroying stratospheric ozone. They are non-flammable, non-toxic gases containing carbon, chlorine, and fluorine atoms. They are halogens or hydrocarbons used as a coolant in refrigerators, air conditioners, aerosol sprays, fuels, and blowing agents for foams and packing materials.

Source of greenhouse gases

Carbon dioxide

To produce electricity – combustion of fossil fuels.

Gasoline and diesel are one of the sources which emit Carbon dioxide during transportation.

Chemical reaction – production of metals such as iron and steel, a mineral product such as – cement are other sources.

Methane

Natural sources: Wetlands emit Methane from the decomposed organism without oxygen.

Artificial sources: 

Agriculture – Manure for crops.

Industry – Distribution of crude oil and natural gas, landfills, and decompose treatment of wastewater are responsible.

Nitrous Oxide

Naturally, it is induced by the soil and ocean microbial action.

Human activities like combustion of fossil fuels, burning and applying fertilisers to crops.

Fluorinated gases

PFCs – Perfluorocarbons are involved in the production of aluminium and semiconductors.

SF6 – Sulphur hexafluoride is involved in the transmission and distribution of electricity.

HFCs – Refrigerators, air conditioners, and foams are the primary source of Hydrofluorocarbons.

Global Warming

It gradually increases the earth’s average temperature by emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) to a large extent. It is a long-term process caused by human activities.

Effects of Greenhouse effect emission

In today’s world, greenhouse gas emission is higher than ever, the concentration of greenhouse gas is increasing rapidly, which results in various patterns of effects.

1. Extreme Climate – Causes significantly different weather conditions such as drought, floods, hurricanes, heatwaves, and cyclones.
2. Precipitation – Making wet regions wetter and dry areas drier.
3. Sea-level change – Tectonic changes occur and result in glacier melting, which affects the marine ecosystem widely. This increase in sea level.
4. Ecosystem Degradation – Effects the various ecosystems interlinked, especially wildlife and plants that make them inhabitants.
5. Food insecurity – Emissions directly affect plants, animals, and humans. Droughts and floods make humans migrate and political instability.

6. Health issues – Extreme heat waves cause an increase in death rates. People may be prone to increasing dengue, malaria, and typhoid cases due to lack of freshwater and floods and droughts.

Conclusion

Global warming is a significant challenge to the global environment. Primarily, reducing greenhouse gas emissions will require considerable effort. We must reduce the usage of fossil fuels and opt for energy-efficient technologies. We must protect our carbon-storing forests and minimise food waste and the emissions that go with it. We can adopt cheap and clean energy production, which reduces emissions. As individuals, we must pledge to take care of the environment globally by following mitigation measures.