Q5. What are greenhouse gases and how do they cause the greenhouse effect?
EnergyAustralia - Frequently Asked QuestionsA5. Greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorocarbons. These gases absorb and re-emit infra-red radiation, trapping heat and warming the Earth’s atmosphere, in a similar way to the glass in a greenhouse. Human activity such as land clearing and burning fossil fuels (e.g. coal and oil) have been increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere resulting in an enhanced greenhouse effect (i.e.
Related QuestionsWhat do greenhouse gases do?
Global Warming: Frequently Asked Questionsa car with its windows rolled up on a sunny day keeps the sun's warmth inside the car, carbon dioxide or any other greenhouse gas has the ability to prevent the reflection of solar radiation back out into space. The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon. It is the reason our day and night temperature differences are so narrow.
Related QuestionsWhere do greenhouse gases come from?
ETF FAQsGreenhouse gases are emitted from a variety of natural and anthropogenic (human) sources. Carbon dioxide has the greatest effect on climate change because of its abundance. CO2 is emitted from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), solid waste incineration, and wood burning (deforestation). Only a small proportion of CO2 emissions come from natural sources, such as plant decay, volcanic eruptions, and animal respiration (BBC 2004).
Related QuestionsGreenhouse: questions and answersAtmospheric trace gases that keep the Earth’s surface warm are known as greenhouse gases. About three-quarters of the natural greenhouse effect is due to water vapour. The next most significant greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide. Methane, nitrous oxide, ozone in the lower atmosphere, and CFCs are also greenhouse gases.Related Questions
KLD Global Climate 100 Index Frequently Asked QuestionsGreenhouse gasses are a series of gases known to trap the sun’s heat in the earth’s atmosphere, the chief among which are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and certain man-made fluorocarbons.Related Questions
FAQs - SWCCIP - Our South WestGreenhouse gases are gases in the atmosphere that have the capacity to absorb long-wave radiation emanating from the Earth's surface. By absorbing this energy and re-radiating it, the gases cause the temperature of the Earth's lower atmosphere and surface to increase. The most common greenhouse gases are water vapour and carbon dioxide. Back to topRelated Questions
David Suzuki Foundation: Climate Change: FAQsGreenhouse gases trap heat in the earth's atmosphere. Without these gases, the earth's temperature would not support the variety of life on this planet. But when we burn large amounts of fossil fuels such as oil, coal and gas, we are dramatically increasing the atmospheric concentration of these gases. Like the glass in a greenhouse, this raises the average air temperature in the lower atmosphere. More energy is retained as heat or manifested as increased atmospheric activity.Related Questions
CoolMom.org | GW FAQCarbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases warm the surface of the planet by trapping heat in the atmosphere. Some greenhouse gases occur naturally in the atmosphere, while others result from human activities. Naturally occurring greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone. They help keep our planet livable. The overabundance of greenhouse gases is causing the earth to heat up.Related Questions
Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Reduction Strategies - Freque...Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride.Related Questions
David Suzuki Foundation: Climate Change: FAQsGreenhouse gases trap heat in the earth's atmosphere. Without these gases, the earth’s temperature would not support the variety of life on this planet. But when we burn large amounts of fossil fuels such as oil, coal and gas, we are dramatically increasing the atmospheric concentration of these gases. Like the glass in a greenhouse, this raises the average air temperature in the lower atmosphere. More energy is retained as heat or manifested as increased atmospheric activity.Related Questions
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)Most greenhouse gases naturally exist in the earth's atmosphere, helping to keep the planet within a comfortable temperature range. However, by burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil, people have increased the concentration of these gases in the atmosphere.Related Questions
Frequently asked questions about climate changeThe main greenhouse gases are water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. They are called greenhouse gases because their role in the atmosphere is like the glass of a greenhouse (or a blanket), trapping heat. Without this protection the earth would be too cold for life. The concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is changing because of human activities.Related Questions
Carbon Reduction Fund | Frequently Asked QuestionsEach greenhouse gas (GHG) has a different effect on global warming; however, it is most convenient to refer to the combination of gases in terms of Carbon Dioxide Equivalence (CO2e). Each gas has a different global warming potential, or GWP score which determines its relative strength in producing global warming effects, with CO2 having a score of 1. The GWP for Methane, for example is 23, making it 23 times as potent as CO2.Related Questions
When will we see real reductions in greenhouse gases in Canada?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSOur targets are ambitious enough to lead to absolute reductions in emissions as early as 2010 and no later than 2012, not just reductions per unit of production. All our action announced to date to tackle climate change, including these industrial targets, will put us on the path to absolute reduction in Canada's greenhouse gases by 20% by 2020 compared to 2006 levels.
Related QuestionsHow will the emissions trading mechanism for greenhouse gases work?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSFirms that have an emission intensity lower than their targets will receive credits that could be sold to those who are unable to meet their obligations. Credits could also be "banked" for future use. Firms that have an emission intensity that is above their target could use credits from previous years, or purchase credits from other firms that have a surplus.
Related QuestionsYou only mention CO2. What about the other greenhouse gases?
Climat Mundi - Basic FAQsIt is simpler just to talk about CO2, but of course there are the other greenhouse gases such as methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), the hydro fluorocarbons (HFC), and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). We include them in our calculations as "CO2 equivalents". Thus 1 ton of methane (whose heat-trapping qualities are 20 times more powerful than those of CO2) is equivalent to 20 tons of CO2. However, we have chosen to simplify even further on this website and only talk about CO2.
Related QuestionsWhat greenhouse gases will be traded?
Climate Change FAQ 5-EU Emission Trading SchemeDuring the first period (see question above), the EU ETS will only address emissions of carbon dioxide. Other greenhouse gases may be incorporated into the Scheme in future periods.
Related QuestionsWhy are the concentrations in greenhouse gases changing?
REACH - Frequently Asked Questions - ADB.orgThe natural concentrations of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are regulated by the Earth and its biosphere through uptake and release by natural cycles and through destruction in the atmosphere. However, since the industrial revolution, the emissions of these gases have been significantly increased in a relatively very short time mainly due to burning of fossil fuel, industrial processes, and increase in agriculture activities.
Related QuestionsHow long do the greenhouse gases last in the atmosphere?
Greenhouse: questions and answersCarbon dioxide persists for more than a century in the air. Methane’s average lifetime is about 11 years.
Related QuestionsAre all greenhouse gases bad?
Understanding climate change [New Zealand - 4 million carefu...No, we do need some greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases help the sun's heat from escaping Earth's atmosphere. If we didn't have any greenhouse gases, Earth would be too cold to live on, like Mars. But if we don't do anything to reduce the amounts of human-created greenhouse gases we're putting into the air, Earth's whole climate will change - eventually with very serious consequences.
Related QuestionsWhat are Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)?
FAQAny gas that absorbs infrared radiation in the atmosphere.
Related QuestionsWhat does the greenhouse effect have to do with global warming?
Global Warming FAQThe "greenhouse effect" refers to the natural phenomenon that keeps the Earth in a temperature range that allows life to flourish. The sun's enormous energy warms the Earth's surface and its atmosphere. As this energy radiates back toward space as heat, a portion is absorbed by a delicate balance of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere—among them carbon dioxide and methane—which creates an insulating layer.
Related QuestionsWhat is the greenhouse effect?
BM&F | Brazilian Mercantile & Futures Exchange - FREQUENTLY ...It is a phenomenon caused by the accumulation of certain gases in the atmosphere, known popularly as greenhouse gases or GHGs, which hold heat within the surface of the Earth and contribute to its warming. The Kyoto Protocol states that the following GHGs should be regulated: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), perfluorocarbon (PFC), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).
Related QuestionsFaqThe earth is surrounded by its gas atmosphere mainly composed of oxygen and nitrogen but also of other gases including carbon dioxide, (C02) methane (NH4), nitrous oxides, water vapour and other gases of industrial origin. An intrinsic property of these other gases is to absorb the energy of the sun radiations captured by the earth and reemitted in the atmosphere, mainly during the night.Related Questions
REACH - Frequently Asked Questions - ADB.orgSome gases such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, play an important role in the energy balance of the Earth. Without these gases, the surface temperature of the Earth would be about 35 degrees Celsius lower. This process is called the greenhouse effect and the gases involved are called greenhouse gases.Related Questions
Carbon Planet Global Warming FAQThe main gases in the Earth's atmosphere, nitrogen and oxygen, are almost completely transparent to the sun's rays. But water vapour, carbon dioxide and other gases form a blanket around the Earth, trapping heat. This process is known as the greenhouse effect.Related Questions
FAQs - SWCCIP - Our South WestThe Sun's warmth heats the surface of the Earth, which in turn radiates energy back to space. Some of this radiation, which is nearly all in the infrared spectrum, is trapped in the atmosphere by greenhouse gases. For instance, water vapour strongly absorbs radiation with wavelengths between 4 and 7 micrometres, and carbon dioxide (CO2) absorbs radiation with wavelengths between 13 and 19 micrometres. The trapped radiation warms the lower atmosphere, or troposphere.Related Questions
Climate Cure 2025: Global Warming FAQThe greenhouse effect is an elevation in the surface temperature that occurs when certain heat-absorbing "greenhouse gases," particularly CO2 and water vapor, are present in the atmosphere. It is a natural phenomenon -- the Earth has had a greenhouse effect for billions of years. Without it, the oceans would be totally frozen and life would not exist on Earth!Related Questions
