The Top 10 Sources of Greenhouse Gases in Our Environment

Introduction

Our planet is subject to climate change caused by human activities that emit greenhouse gases (GHGs). GHGs are gases that trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and cause it to warm up. It is essential that we are aware of what causes GHG emissions, to mitigate them to avoid further environmental degradation. Generally, these gases persist for a long time and trap heat for decades, even centuries. In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 10 sources of greenhouse gases.

Transportation

Moving around is an essential part of everyday life. Still, it’s also one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the world. It’s made of burning fossil fuels such as petrol and diesel, which emit pollutants while generating energy, resulting in climate change.

Energy Production

The high demand for energy forces many electricity companies to rely on non-renewable energy such as coal and oil. Astonishingly, around two-thirds of all energy produced in the US comes from fossil fuels emission.

Industrial Fertilizer Production

Fertilizer production is energy-intensive as it relies on the use of nitrogen fertilizer, primarily made from ammonia originating from the natural gas’s reforming process. United Nations (UN) health agency reported that fertilizer production accounts for 2% of global emissions approximately.

Agriculture and Deforestation

Agriculture contributes a lot to greenhouse gas emissions while forestry alone emits around 17 percent of these gases globally. Agricultural practices emit Nitrous Oxide through the use of chemical fertilizers and Manure Management, as Livestock release hundreds of millions of tons of methane. Deforestation also leaves huge amounts of carbon to the atmosphere.

Perfluorocarbons Production

Besides manufacturing an array of products like semiconductors and fire fighting, Perfluorocarbons are typically used for squandering foaming in buildings, including electronics like your phone screen.

Landfills and Waste

Largely due to rapid population growth, the creation of waste products is increasing vastly. Organic matter that ends deals up rotting will emit methane gases into the atmosphere. It ultimately contributing to climate change threatening our environment.

Residential Houses and Buildings

Climates endured in most of the world allow the use of energy in everyday keeping warm or cool using heating or air-conditioning, force appliances like computers and fridges, all contribute to Greenhouse gas emissions.

Aviation

Commercial aviation industry, also played a significant role in contributions of greenhouse gases. Despite having a lower impact in transport generation, they carry greater distances producing larger combustion per distance traveled.

Maritime Transport

The worldwide shipping industry, also encourages emissions of carbon dioxide resulting in increasing pH of oceans globally. It indeed is internationally stipulated and is viewed as the operation of heat-trapping fuelling type chemicals necessary.

Methane Emissions from Natural Gas and Petroleum Systems

If leaked into the atmosphere, the primary raw products of oil ultimately lead to higher atmospheric frequency methane levels. Oil’s natural state considerably increases methane emissions big time.

In sum, human activities extensively cause greenhouse gas emissions, and a concerted effort is needed to attempt minimizing their end result concerning global warming. Improving some factors in our daily lives such as using green alternatives, making contacts wherever possible can significantly counter the production of greenhouse gases.