5 Things You Should Know About the Greenhouse Gases and Their Role in Global Warming

1. 5 Things You Should Know About the Greenhouse Gases& Their Role in Global Warming

2. Introduction Sunlight enters a greenhouse, where heat is held in. The GHG emissions describe similar planetary-scale phenomena; however, certain gases steadily increase the earth's temperature rather than the greenhouse glass. Less than half of the energy from the sun is absorbed by the Earth's surface, 23% is absorbed by the atmosphere, and the remaining energy is bounced back into space. The equilibrium between inbound and outbound energy is maintained by natural processes, which also maintain the planet's constant temperature. But because of human activity, the production of so-called greenhouse gases (GHGs) is rising, which, in contrast to other atmospheric gases like oxygen and nitrogen, are stuck in the atmosphere and are unable to leave the planet. This energy comes back to the surface and is reabsorbed there. Surface temperatures rise because the earth receives more energy than it expels until a new equilibrium is reached.

3. Why does the warming matter? This temperature rise has negative long-term impacts on the climate and has an impact on many different environmental systems. Changes in the frequency of extreme weather events, such as storms, flooding, droughts, and wildfires, which affect many people and result in trillion-dollar economic damages, are among the effects. Mark Radka, Director of the UN Environment Programmer’s (UNEP) Energy and Climate Branch, asserts that GHG emissions brought on by humans’ damage both human and environmental health. "And without significant climate action, the effects will extend further and worsen.“ The newest UNEP Emissions Gap Report indicates a rebound and predicts a catastrophic global temperature increase of at least 2.7 degrees in the above century in greenhouse gas data, except if countries make far greater global emissions. GHG emissions are crucial to assessing and resolving the climate crisis, notwithstanding the preliminary dip due to COVID-19. According to the report, if we want to keep global warming below 1.5°C compared to the pre values by the end of the 21st century, GHG emissions must be cut in half by 2030.

4. What are the major greenhouse gases? The largest single source of the greenhouse effect is water vapor. However, all of the atmospheric water vapor is a result of natural processes. The main GHGs to be concerned about are nitrous oxide (NOx), methane, and carbon dioxide (CO2). Nitrous oxide lingers in the air for about 120 years, methane for about ten years, and CO2 for 1,000 years. Methane is eighty times more powerful than CO2 in warming the planet when measured over 20 years, whereas nitrous oxide is 280 times more effective.

5. How is human activity producing these greenhouse gases? Many regions of the world continue to be powered by oil, coal, and natural gas. These fuels mostly consist of carbon; when burned to produce heat, electricity, or power transportation, they release carbon dioxide (CO2). More than half (55%) of human methane emissions are related to the extraction of oil and gas, mining activities, and waste landfills. Cows, sheep, and other ruminants that digest food in the stomachs are to blame for about 32% of methane emissions resulting from other agricultural gas sources, such as the decomposition of manure and rice farming. Agriculture practices are the main source of nitrous oxide emissions caused by oxide produced naturally by bacteria from soil and water, but fertilizer use and runoff accelerate this process by introducing additional nitrogen into the ecosystem. GHG emissions that do not naturally occur include fluorinated gases like sulfur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons, and perfluorocarbons. Hydrofluorocarbons are refrigerants used as substitutes for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which were phased out due to the Montreal Protocol because they damaged the ozone layer in greenhouse gas data. The others are used for business and industry. Fluorinated gases are potent even though they are much less common than other GHGs and therefore do not destroy the ozone layer as CFCs do. Some fluorinated gases have a global warming potential of up to 16,300 times larger than CO2 for 20 years.

6. What can we do to reduce GHG emissions? The use of renewable energy, pricing carbon, and the phase-out of coal are all crucial steps in lowering GHG emissions. In the end, more aggressive emission-reduction goals are required to maintain long-term human health and the environment. Mr. Radka said, "We need to implement robust policies that support the increased objectives." "We can't keep going in the same direction and expect better outcomes. The time for action is now. To cut methane emissions there in the fuel, agricultural, and waste sectors by 30% by 2030, over one hundred nations have signed the Global Methane Pledge, which the United States and European Union announced during COP26. Despite the difficulties, there are many reasons to be optimistic. Policies were put in place from 2010 to 2021 to reduce annual emissions to eleven gigatons through 2030 compared to what would have happened otherwise. People can also participate in the UN's #ActNow campaign for suggestions on how to do climate-friendly actions. Everyone can contribute to the issue and affect change by making decisions that have less of a negative impact on the environment. One method to increase the effect and bring about change on a much larger scale is speaking up. 

7. How long do they stay in the atmosphere? The maximum lifespan in the atmosphere for each of these gases varies and can range from a few years to thousands of years. Regardless of the source of the emissions, the amount of these gases observed in the atmosphere is everywhere since they all remain in the atmosphere long enough to become well mixed.

8. Conclusion The Global Methane Pledge, introduced by the European Union and the United States during COP26, has been endorsed by over 100 countries and aims to reduce methane emissions inside the fuel, agricultural, or waste sectors by 30% by 2030. UNEP has suggested its six-sector strategy, which may reduce 29-32 megatons of carbon dioxide by 2030, to keep within the 1.5°C warming limit. In addition, UNEP publishes a "Climate Note" online that utilizes 1990 as a benchmark to depict how the climate has changed since then. There are many causes for optimism despite the challenges. By 2030, policies put into place between 2010 and 2021 will prevent around 11 megatons of emissions from occurring annually. Through its numerous international environmental accords and reports, UNEP facilitates efficient environmental action and raises awareness of the issue. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) will continue to work closely about greenhouse gas data with its 193 Member States and other stakeholders to set the environmental agenda and support a major reduction in GHG emissions.