|
Contents:
Introduction
CFC's
Table of Greenhouse Gases and the human activities that release them
References
Greenhouse Gas is the term given to a gas that causes the greenhouse effect.
Greenhouse gases allow heat from the sun into the atmosphere but do not
allow the heat to escape back into space. Some greenhouse gases, such
as Carbon Dioxide (CO2), occur naturally while some are also man-made.
The primary reason why the greenhouse effect is occurring is due to human
activities that release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The release
of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere is caused primarily by the burning
of fossil fuels and the use of CFC’s (Chlorofluorocarbons) which are
prevalent in refrigeration systems.
Water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone
are the gases that naturally occur in the atmosphere although the amount
of greenhouse gases is higher than normal due to human activities and
not nature.
Click here to read more on how Greenhouse Gases contribute
to global warming through the greenhouse effect.
CFC’s are a family of non-reactive, non-flammable gases
and volatile liquids. CFC’s can exist in the environment for years before
drifting up into the stratosphere for years as they are non-reactive.
CFC’s do not form a heat-trapping layer like other greenhouse gases such
as Carbon Dioxide. The chlorine in a CFC is severed off by UV (Ultra-violet)
rays as it drifts up into the stratosphere and these unattached chlorines
catalytically convert Ozone molecules into Oxygen molecules.
The equation
of this is Cl + O3 ---> ClO + O2 ClO + O3 ---> 2 O2 + Cl.
Chlorine
is a catalyst as it is not consumed during the process.
The ozone layer
protects the earth from harmful UV rays of the sun. As the ozone layer
is depleted, more rays from the sun can penetrate the Earth and cause
the Earth to heat up.
Greenhouse Gas |
Human Activities that release it |
Carbon Dioxide |
The burning
of fossil fuels and basically everything that humans do. Carbon
is part of all things on Earth and when something is burnt, carbon
is released into the atmosphere. Carbon bonds to two oxygen atoms
to become stable. Most of the products that humans use are made
in factories that release CO2 into the air. Fuel is burnt by
automobiles, trains and aircraft and so most forms of transport
release into the CO2 atmosphere. |
Methane |
This comes from gases released by cattle, sheep, rice paddies and other wetlands. Leaks from gas and coal industries can also contribute. |
Nitrous Oxide |
Agricultural activities such as the use of fertilizers. Burning of fossil fuels and the destruction of forests |
| Ozone (03) |
This gas is formed at low altitudes from the action of sunlight on air pollutants from car exhausts and industries. |
Carbon Tetrafluoride |
The manufacture of aluminium and the processing of semi-conductor devices. Computers, cellphones and electronic devices use are such devices. |
Sulfur Hexafluoride |
These are industrial emissions released by factories and other industries. |
Difluoroethane tetrafluoroethane |
Gas used in refrigerators. |
1. Effect of Global Warming (2007) Greenhouse
Gases [Online] (Date of update unknown)
Available at: http://www.effectofglobalwarming.com/greenhouse-gases.html
[Accessed 18 December 2008]
2. Brien Sparling (2001) Ozone Depletion, History and politics [Online]
(Updated 30 May 2001)
Available at: http://www.nas.nasa.gov/About/Education/Ozone/ozone-history.html
[Accessed 18 December 2008]
3. Make Earth a Better Place(2006) Articles On The Effects Of Global Warming,
The Causes Of Global Warming, And What Is Global Warming. [Online]
(Updated 7 July 2007)
Available at: http://www.makeearthabetterplace.org/globalwarming.htm
[Accessed 18 December 2008] |
Also
See:
Alternative Energy |
National plans to stop
global warming
|
People helping to
make a difference |
Greenhouse effect |
Greenhouse gases are natural
and necessary to Earth,
however, dangerous levels are
now in the air due to human
activities
Can the solar resources of the
Sahara power Europe for
centuries?
Read more
Simply swapping these light-
bulbs for energy saving CFL's
can make a massive difference.
Find out what else you can do
|
