middot; What will happen to Earth's climate if emissions of these greenhouse gases continue to rise?
ESRL Global Monitoring Division - FAQ'sBecause human emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases continue to climb, and because they remain in the atmosphere for decades to centuries (depending on the gas), we're committing ourselves to a warmer climate in the future. The IPCC projects an average global temperature increase of 2-6°F by 2100, and greater warming there after. Temperatures in some parts of the globe (e.g., the polar regions) are expected to rise even faster.
Related QuestionsCan we prevent climate change by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases?
FAQs - SWCCIP - Our South WestExperiments run on global climate models show us that when we reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, we reduce the rate of rise of average global temperatures and so lessen the rate and impacts of climate change. We can therefore slow the rate of warming by changing our behaviour. However, once released into the atmosphere, carbon dioxide remains there for about 100 years.
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 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 QuestionsWhat impact will rising greenhouse gases have on climate?
Greenhouse: questions and answersIncreasing levels of greenhouse gases are likely to produce a warming at the Earth’s surface. This warming is likely to lead to world-wide changes in weather and climate. Some places may get more rain and storms while others may get less. Not all changes will be bad for everybody. However, almost everywhere the weather and climate will be different from what it used to be.
Related Questionsmiddot; What are isotopes of greenhouse gases?
ESRL Global Monitoring Division - FAQ'sThe nuclei of atoms are composed of protons and neutrons. Protons are electrically charged and their number determines the chemical character of the atom, or its place in the periodic table of the elements. The same chemical element can have a nucleus with a slightly different number of neutrons, which changes its chemical character only very slightly, but makes it either heavier or lighter because the mass of each atom is almost totally determined by the mass of its protons and neutrons.
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 QuestionsWhat are greenhouse gas (ghg) emissions?
ETF FAQsGreenhouse gas emissions are gases that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere. Without greenhouse gases the average global temperature would go from 59 degrees Fahrenheit to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. The most notable greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), halocarbons that contain fluorine such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) (EPA 2003c). Each greenhouse gas differs in its ability to hold heat.
Related QuestionsWhy is there concern about greenhouse gas emissions?
ETF FAQsScientists know for certain that human activities are changing the composition of Earth's atmosphere. Increasing levels of greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide (CO2 ), in the atmosphere since pre-industrial times have been well documented. There is no doubt this atmospheric buildup of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases is largely the result of human activities. It's well accepted by scientists that greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere and tend to warm the planet.
Related QuestionsWhat are greenhouse gases and how do they relate to global climate change?
List of FacilitiesScientific consensus tells us that the earth is warming much more quickly than at any other time in history. This warming of the earth is referred to as 'global climate change' or 'global warming'. Scientists also agree that human activities that release certain gases into the atmosphere are contributing to global climate change. These gases, known as greenhouse gases (GHG), include carbon dioxide, methane, sulphur hexafluoride and nitrous oxides.
Related Questionsmiddot; What are the most important greenhouse gases? Where are they coming from?
ESRL Global Monitoring Division - FAQ'sMany greenhouse gases occur naturally, but human activities are adding gases to the natural mix at an unprecedented rate. Water vapor is the most abundant greenhouse gas; it occurs naturally and makes upabout two thirds of the natural greenhouse effect.
Related Questionsmiddot; Why are isotopes of greenhouse gases important?
ESRL Global Monitoring Division - FAQ'sChemical and biological processes in nature, such as respiration, photosynthesis and atmospheric chemical reactions, often show very slight preferences for one isotope over another. For example, photosynthesis discriminates against the heavy 13C isotope, and plant matter and respired CO2 is therefore depleted in 13C relative to the atmosphere.
Related Questionsmiddot; How are the amounts of greenhouse gases measured?
ESRL Global Monitoring Division - FAQ'sNon-isotopic measurements of greenhouse gases are generally made with two techniques: Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR) analysis, or by gas chromatography. The amount of CO2 in the atmosphere is large enough that the NDIR method of measurement works well. An NDIR analyzer relies on the same principle of IR absorption that makes greenhouse gases important in the first place. An infrared analyzer consists of an infrared source at one end, and an infrared detector separated by a gas cell.
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
Will the new fee continue to rise?
Stanford Residential Computing: For Students: Services: In-R...The fee increased (as planned) $2/quarter in 2006-07 (to $50), and again in 2007-08 to $52. At this point we hope to have reached cost recovery for both the infrastructure costs and ResComp costs. Future increases, though difficult to predict exactly, should be only incremental.
Related QuestionsWho is responsible for greenhouse gas emissions and climate change?
Science FAQs: The Pew Center on Global Climate ChangeOnce emitted, GHGs can remain in the atmosphere for many years, from approximately 10 years to thousands of years, depending on the gas. This means that emissions from a long time ago are still in the atmosphere and still affecting the Earth's climate system. Countries in the developed world have been emitting substantial quantities of GHGs since the start of the industrial revolution in the mid-18th Century.
Related QuestionsHow are total annual greenhouse gas emissions estimated?
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe greenhouse gas estimates presented here are full fuel-cycle estimates, combining the three major greenhouse gases emitted by motor vehicles: Full fuel-cycle estimates include all steps in the use of a fuel, from production and refining to distribution and final use. This gives a more complete picture of the climate change impacts of using a particular fuel. Some greenhouse gases have greater impacts on climate than others.
Related QuestionsWhere can I get additional information about national greenhouse gas emissions?
Environmental Protection Agency - LMOP: Frequently Asked Que...Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2004. U.S. EPA, Office of Atmospheric Programs. EPA/430/R-06-002. April 15, 2006. This report presents estimates by the United States government of U.S. human-related greenhouse gas emissions and sinks for the years 1990 through 2004. The information provided in this inventory is presented in accordance with the Revised 1996 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories.
Related Questionsmiddot; Which major greenhouse gases does ESRL measure?
ESRL Global Monitoring Division - FAQ'sCarbon Dioxide (CO2) is a colorless, odorless gas consisting of molecules of two oxygen atoms and one carbon atom. Carbon dioxide is produced when an organic carbon compound (such as wood) or fossilized organic matter (such as coal, oil, or natural gas) is burned in an excess of oxygen. Carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere by carbon dioxide "sinks" such as absorption by seawater, and photosynthesis by ocean-dwelling plankton and land plants, including forests and grasslands.
Related QuestionsGreenhouse 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
middot; How can minor atmospheric gases have such a large impact on climate?
ESRL Global Monitoring Division - FAQ'sThe major gases, nitrogen (N2), oxygen (O2), and argon (Ar), which together comprise about 99.8% of the atmosphere, do not absorb visible light, nor infrared light. If the atmosphere contained only those three gases, the radiation would go right through without any effect on the heating of the atmosphere or surface. That leaves it to the minor gases such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, and others to absorb infrared light.
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