Why is co2 emissions a problem

There are so many different terms and opinions out there that it can be difficult to understand everything surrounding greenhouse gases. Read on to get the answers to the most common questions and understand fully why greenhouse gases are a problem. Technically speaking any gas that absorbs and emits radiation is a "greenhouse gas. However, carbon dioxide is the most prevalent of all greenhouse gases, which is one of the reasons it comes up so frequently when discussing climate change issues.

Image Source: EPA. Although CO2 concentrations in the air fluctuate naturally with the seasons, anthropogenic factors like fossil fuel combustion and widespread deforestation have increased the quantity of carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere, with negative climatic and environmental effects.

On a global scale, this is a significant change. Human activities emit 29 billion tons of carbon dioxide each year, and most of this derives from the burning of fossil fuels for energy. Carbon dioxide is a problem because it acts as a "greenhouse gas. This leads to a positive feedback cycle: as temperatures increase due to atmospheric CO2 levels, CO2 levels increase due to the warming temperatures. Over the last years, human activity has brought the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere to levels that have not been seen for hundreds of thousands of years.

The magnitude of this impact is immense. Humans today have so much impact on a global scale that most geologists, ecologists, and natural historians maintain that we have entered an entirely new geological epoch, known as the Anthropocene.

Ongoing scientific research has made it increasingly clear that it is in humanity's best interest, as a species, to move away from dependence on fossil fuel combustion. If you have been thinking of trying renewable energy to power your home to offset greenhouse gases, you can read the latest Inspire Energy reviews to see how we've helped customers make the switch.

The concentration of the gas Scientists measure greenhouse gas concentrations in parts per million, parts per billion, and even parts per trillion. One part per million is the equivalent of one drop of water mixed into around 13 gallons of liquid, which amounts to the fuel tank of a medium-sized car.

How long the gas stays in the atmosphere Any of the gases mentioned above may remain in the atmosphere for a few years to tens of thousands of years.

These gases all linger in the atmosphere long enough to become well mixed, and the amount measured in the atmosphere is about the same globally, regardless of where the emissions came from.

How badly they affect the atmosphere Certain gases are more responsible for global warming than others. Every greenhouse gas has a corresponding Global Warming Potential GWP to reflect how long it stays in the air and how aggressively it absorbs energy. Gases with a higher GWP contribute the most to global warming as they absorb more energy per pound than those with a smaller GWP. Greenhouse gases pose severe environmental and health issues. They cause climate change by trapping heat, which in turn affects various species in already arid climates.

The climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions also contributes to extreme weather, wildfires, droughts and food supply disruptions. If our planet continues to release greenhouse gases at the current rate, the typical weather patterns will change, and some animal species will likely disappear. Greenhouse gases also contribute to air pollution and smog, which can cause respiratory and pulmonary diseases. A huge proponent of climate change is the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.

These gases contain carbon dioxide that has been stored in the ground for millennia, and when we extract these fuels from the land to burn them, we release that carbon dioxide into the air. Agriculture is another proponent of greenhouse gas emissions. The planting of crops and rearing of animals releases several types of greenhouse gases into the air. For example, cattle herds produce methane when they pass gas, and this methane is 30 times more powerful than carbon dioxide.

The crop fertilizers used by farmers contain nitrous oxide that is nearly times more potent than carbon dioxide. Many of these programs have benefits beyond cutting carbon. For example, decreasing fuel consumption can reduce our dependence on foreign oil and save consumers money at the pump.

EPA and DOT issued a joint rule-making that set GHG emissions and fuel economy standards for the largest sources of greenhouse gases from transportation, including cars, light trucks, and heavy-duty trucks. Renewable fuels are produced from plants, crops and other biomass, and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions when compared to burning the fossil fuels they replace.

EPA is also now working through the process of potentially setting domestic regulations under the Clean Air Act that address GHG emissions from certain classes of engines used in aircraft. The Energy Independence and Security Act requires federal agencies to only acquire cars, light trucks, or medium-duty passenger vehicles that are low greenhouse gas emitting.

Each year, EPA evaluates the greenhouse gas emissions performance of the fleet to determine which vehicles in each class emit less harmful greenhouse gases. The law requires federal agencies to purchase these high performing vehicles. Over time this will result in a greener federal fleet. All rights reserved. Share Tweet Email. Why it's so hard to treat pain in infants. This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city.

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