Greenhouse gases

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Greenhouse gases

• Greenhouse gases are gases surrounding our planet
  that act as a barrier to prevent the loss of heat
  into outer space. By trapping heat, they
  contribute to global warming. The warming of the
  earths surface due to greenhouse gases is called
  the greenhouse effect.

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Greenhouse Effect
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Greenhouse gases - GHGs

• Carbon dioxide CO2
• Methane CH4
• Nitrous oxide N2O
• Halocarbon - Synthetic chemicals
• examples Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and
  Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC)

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U.S. Anthropogenic Greenhouse Gas Emissions by
Gas, 2006 (Million Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide
Equivalent)
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Anthropogenic Sources of Carbondioxide
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Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Carbon Dioxide
Concentrations (1751-2004)
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Anthropogenic sources of Methane
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Concentration of Methane
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Anthropogenic Sources of N2O

• N2O comes from combustion of fuels and more
  importantly form from fertilizers.

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Sources of Halocarbons

• Use of CFCs in refrigeration systems, and use of
  CFCs and halons in fire suppression  systems and
  manufacturing processes.

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Major Uncertainties

• There are several major uncertainties that come
  into play when considering the increase in
  greenhouse gases.
• The impact of the Suns changing brightness.
• The impact of water vapor.