Most of the public believes that our climate is changing, and that we are at least partially responsible. Our activities release huge quantities of greenhouse gases, which trap heat radiation trying to leave Earth’s atmosphere. Our emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are causing the planet to warm.
The rise in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is mostly due to burning fossil fuels. Excess methane stems from ruminant animals and rice cultivation. And most of the nitrous oxide is from nitrogen fertilizer used to enhance crops. These gases naturally occur in Earth’s atmosphere, but we have increased their concentrations as our population and wealth have increased.
There are other little known greenhouse gases not naturally found in Earth’s atmosphere. The entire stock of chlorofluocarbons derives from industrial production of these chemicals as refrigerants and propellants. The gas nitrogen trifluoride is also 100% man-made; it is used in the computer industry to clean electronic components.
These gases also have powerful impacts on the Earth’s radiation budget. Nitrogen trifluoride’s warming impact is 17,000 times greater than carbon dioxide, and it’s increasing in the atmosphere at a rate of 11%/yr. Moreover, the life-time of the average nitrogen trifluoride molecule in the atmosphere is about 550 years, so its greenhouse effect persists for centuries.
Scientists have long known that these and other industrial chemicals contribute to climate change. We need to start monitoring the occurrence of these trace industrial gases in the atmosphere and regulating their emission to mitigate global climate change.
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Photo, taken on January 15, 2006, courtesy of Bruce Irving via Flickr.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Support for Earth Wise comes from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY.