Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are gases in the Earth's atmosphere that absorb and emit infrared radiation, leading to the greenhouse effect—a process that contributes to the warming of the Earth's surface. While the greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon necessary to maintain the planet's temperature within a habitable range, human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, have significantly increased the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, enhancing the greenhouse effect and contributing to global warming and climate change.
Key greenhouse gases include:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2): Carbon dioxide is the most abundant greenhouse gas emitted by human activities. It is released through the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas for energy production, transportation, industrial processes, and deforestation. Carbon dioxide also naturally cycles through the atmosphere, oceans, and terrestrial ecosystems.
- Methane (CH4): Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a much higher heat-trapping potential than carbon dioxide over a 20-year timeframe. It is emitted from agricultural activities (such as livestock digestion and rice cultivation), landfills, natural gas production and distribution, and the decomposition of organic waste in wetlands.
- Nitrous oxide (N2O): Nitrous oxide is primarily emitted through agricultural practices (such as the use of synthetic fertilizers and livestock manure), industrial processes, and combustion of fossil fuels. It is also released naturally from soil and oceans.
- Fluorinated gases: This category includes a variety of synthetic gases, such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3). Fluorinated gases are used in a range of industrial applications, including refrigeration, air conditioning, insulation, and electronics manufacturing.
- Water vapor: While water vapor is the most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, its concentration is primarily controlled by temperature rather than human activities. However, human-induced climate change can indirectly influence atmospheric water vapor levels through its impact on temperature and atmospheric circulation patterns.
Efforts to mitigate climate change focus on reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, enhancing carbon sequestration through afforestation and reforestation, and implementing policies to promote sustainable land use and transportation practices. International agreements such as the Paris Agreement aim to limit global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering global cooperation on climate action.
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