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E. M. Koriesh and I. H. Abo-Soud
2 Gases that Contribute to the Greenhouse Effect
Most climate scientists agree that the main cause of the current global warming trend
is the human expansion of the “greenhouse effect” warming that results when the
atmosphere traps heat radiating from Earth toward space. Certain gases in the atmosphere block heat from escaping. Long-lived gases that remain semi-permanently in
the atmosphere and do not respond physically or chemically to changes in temperature
are described as “forcing” climate change. Gases that contribute to the greenhouse
effect include [4, 8, 9]:
1. Carbon dioxide (CO 2 )
2. Methane
3. Nitrous oxides
4. Sulfur oxides
5. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
6. Water vapor
Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), a minor but very important component of the atmosphere,
carbon dioxide is released through natural processes such as respiration and human
activities such as deforestation, land use changes and burning fossil fuels. Humans
have increased atmospheric CO 2 concentration by more than a third since the Industrial Revolution began. This is the most important long-lived “forcing” of climate
change.
The gardener may cause extra carbon dioxide to be added to the atmosphere in
several ways:
1. Using potting compost or peat;
2. Digging soil and leaving it bare so that the carbon in soil organic matter is
oxidized;
3. Using power tools which working with burning fossil fuel;
4. Heating greenhouses and swimming pools; and
5. Burning garden pruning.
Climate change is an issue requiring urgent action by everyone who is a part of
the global community. Reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) concentration
through enhanced terrestrial carbon storage may help slow or reverse the rate of
global climate change. Since desertification is projected to increase in the future,
management strategies that increase carbon sequestration or decrease carbon loss
are especially important [10].
2.1 Methane
A hydrocarbon gas produced both through natural sources and human activities,
including the corruption of wastes in landfills, agriculture especially paddy cultivation, as well as ruminant digestion and manure administration associated with
E. M. Koriesh and I. H. Abo-Soud
2 Gases that Contribute to the Greenhouse Effect
Most climate scientists agree that the main cause of the current global warming trend
is the human expansion of the “greenhouse effect” warming that results when the
atmosphere traps heat radiating from Earth toward space. Certain gases in the atmosphere block heat from escaping. Long-lived gases that remain semi-permanently in
the atmosphere and do not respond physically or chemically to changes in temperature
are described as “forcing” climate change. Gases that contribute to the greenhouse
effect include [4, 8, 9]:
1. Carbon dioxide (CO 2 )
2. Methane
3. Nitrous oxides
4. Sulfur oxides
5. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
6. Water vapor
Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), a minor but very important component of the atmosphere,
carbon dioxide is released through natural processes such as respiration and human
activities such as deforestation, land use changes and burning fossil fuels. Humans
have increased atmospheric CO 2 concentration by more than a third since the Industrial Revolution began. This is the most important long-lived “forcing” of climate
change.
The gardener may cause extra carbon dioxide to be added to the atmosphere in
several ways:
1. Using potting compost or peat;
2. Digging soil and leaving it bare so that the carbon in soil organic matter is
oxidized;
3. Using power tools which working with burning fossil fuel;
4. Heating greenhouses and swimming pools; and
5. Burning garden pruning.
Climate change is an issue requiring urgent action by everyone who is a part of
the global community. Reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) concentration
through enhanced terrestrial carbon storage may help slow or reverse the rate of
global climate change. Since desertification is projected to increase in the future,
management strategies that increase carbon sequestration or decrease carbon loss
are especially important [10].
2.1 Methane
A hydrocarbon gas produced both through natural sources and human activities,
including the corruption of wastes in landfills, agriculture especially paddy cultivation, as well as ruminant digestion and manure administration associated with