Let's Get to Know Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse gases have become a household name since global warming issue has become more pressing. Though we hear a lot about them, it is likely that not everyone knows about greenhouse gases and why they are so important in our climate change.

As Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describes them, greenhouse gases are gases that trap the heat in the Earth's atmosphere. When the sun emits heat to our beautiful earth, certain amount of it is absorbed while some heat gets reflected back into space, which is called infrared radiation. Overall, the amount of heat the sun emits to Earth should equal to the amount of heat that bounces back into the space, so the Earth can achieve some balance. Increased levels in greenhouse gases disrupt this balance. The more greenhouse gases we have, the more heat gets trap in our atmosphere and less amount that gets reflected back into space. There goes global warming.

There are several popular greenhouse gases that have been constantly associated with global warming:

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Carbon Dioxide surfaces in our atmosphere from burning of fossil fuels, such as coals, natural gas and oil. It also forms through solid waste, trees and wood products. One way to eliminate or reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere is when plants absorb them.

How to reduce CO2?

• Reduction in fossil fuel consumption is the key. 
• Less use of energy in homes, commercial establishments, businesses and transportation.
• Energy conservation is very important. 
• In homes and commercial establishments, we can conserve energy by turning off electricity, lights and electronics when they are not in use. 
• Use of renewable sources of energy that contain less carbon is also important.

Methane (CH4)

Methane also comes from production and transportation of coal, natural gas and oil. Also, methane is emitted from livestock, agriculture and decayed organic waste we can often find in solid waste landfills.

How to reduce CH4?

• Better equipment and machinery on production and transportation of oil and gas in order to reduce leaks that add CH4 emissions. 
• Capture CH4 emissions from coal mining.
• Implement different practices in manure management of animals. 
• EPA's AgSTAR program, which highlights the use of Biogas recovery system (anaerobic digester that product electricity, heat from handling and capturing animal manure).
• Using landfill gas as energy resource to capture and reduce CH4 emissions and use it instead to fuel vehicles, homes, manufacturing industries, power plants and commercial establishments.

Nitrous Oxide (N20)

Nitrous Oxide is emitted through fossil fuel and solid wastes combustion. Agricultural and industrial practices also contribute to nitrous oxide emission. Use of fertilizers is a large factor in increased N20 emissions.

How to reduce N20?

• Reduction or elimination in use of nitrogen-based fertilizers
• Different strategy in manure management (see AgSTAR program)
• Reduction in fuel consumption for vehicles
• Less fossil fuel consumption by upgrading to more efficient machinery and renewable sources (just like CO2) to reduce fuel combustion that emit N20

Fluorinated Gases (F gases)

Fluorinated gases consist of hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride that come from industrial activities. Fluorinated gases are usually emitted in small amounts but they have high potency among all greenhouse gases.

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) - commercial refrigerants, air conditioning system, heat pump system, fire extinguishuants, aerosols and solvents

Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) - electronics, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products

Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) - found in insulation gas, high voltage switch gear and magnesium production

How to reduce F gases?

• Alternative use for refrigerants in homes and businesses 
• Adapting the fluorinated gas recycling method
• Use of alternative gases for fluorinated gases
• Improved air conditioning system for vehicles to prevent leaks of HFC gases from AC refrigerants
• Impose standards for clean engine vehicles

Greenhouse gases play an important role in heat regulation of Earth.  Greenhouse gases in large amounts can do damage as they can increase the amount of heat trapped in our atmosphere, which leads to global warming. Greenhouse gas emissions mainly come from people's energy consumption. Hence, we are held responsible for implementing a lifestyle and industrial practices that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions where we can manage to live, make societal progress and take care of our beautiful Earth.

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