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what is the major gas that contributes to global warming

On this page:

  • Overview
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Methane
  • Nitrous Oxide
  • Fluorinated Gases

Pie chart that shows different types of gases.

Full U.S. Emissions in 2019 = vi,558 Meg Metric Tons of CO2 equivalent (excludes land sector). Percentages may not add together up to 100% due to independent rounding.

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Gases that trap estrus in the atmosphere are called greenhouse gases. This department provides information on emissions and removals of the main greenhouse gases to and from the atmosphere. For more data on the other climate forcers, such equally black carbon, please visit the Climate change Indicators: Climate Forcing page.

  • Carbon dioxide (CO2) : Carbon dioxide enters the temper through called-for fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and oil), solid waste material, copse and other biological materials, and also as a result of certain chemical reactions (e.g., manufacture of cement). Carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere (or "sequestered") when it is absorbed by plants as part of the biological carbon cycle.
  • Methane (CH4) : Marsh gas is emitted during the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil. Methane emissions also outcome from livestock and other agricultural practices, land employ and by the decay of organic waste material in municipal solid waste landfills.
  • Nitrous oxide (NorthiiO) : Nitrous oxide is emitted during agricultural, land employ, industrial activities, combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste product, too as during treatment of wastewater.
  • Fluorinated gases : Hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and nitrogen trifluoride are synthetic, powerful greenhouse gases that are emitted from a diversity of industrial processes. Fluorinated gases are sometimes used as substitutes for stratospheric ozone-depleting substances (e.thousand., chlorofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, and halons). These gases are typically emitted in smaller quantities, but because they are potent greenhouse gases, they are sometimes referred to as High Global Warming Potential gases ("High GWP gases").

Each gas'due south result on climate change depends on 3 main factors:

How much is in the atmosphere?

Concentration, or abundance, is the amount of a particular gas in the air. Larger emissions of greenhouse gases pb to higher concentrations in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gas concentrations are measured in parts per million, parts per billion, and even parts per trillion. Ane part per million is equivalent to one drop of water diluted into about thirteen gallons of liquid (roughly the fuel tank of a compact car). To acquire more about the increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, visit the Climate Change Indicators: Atmospheric Concentrations of Greenhouse Gases page.

How long practice they stay in the temper?

Each of these gases can remain in the temper for different amounts of time, ranging from a few years to thousands of years. All of these gases remain in the atmosphere long plenty to become well mixed, meaning that the corporeality that is measured in the atmosphere is roughly the same all over the globe, regardless of the source of the emissions.

How strongly do they impact the atmosphere?

Some gases are more effective than others at making the planet warmer and "thickening the Globe'southward blanket."

For each greenhouse gas, a Global Warming Potential (GWP) has been calculated to reflect how long it remains in the atmosphere, on average, and how strongly it absorbs energy. Gases with a college GWP absorb more energy, per pound, than gases with a lower GWP, and thus contribute more to warming Earth.

Note: All emission estimates are from the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990–2019.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the chief greenhouse gas emitted through human activities. In 2019, COtwo accounted for about 80 percent of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from human being activities. Carbon dioxide is naturally present in the temper every bit role of the World'south carbon bicycle (the natural circulation of carbon among the atmosphere, oceans, soil, plants, and animals). Man activities are altering the carbon wheel–both past adding more COii to the temper, and by influencing the ability of natural sinks, like forests and soils, to remove and store CO2 from the atmosphere. While CO2 emissions come from a variety of natural sources, human-related emissions are responsible for the increase that has occurred in the atmosphere since the industrial revolution.2

Pie chart of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions by source. 32% is from electricity, 34% is from transportation, 15% is from industry, 11% is from residential and commercial, and 7% is from other sources (non-fossil fuel combustion).

Note: All emission estimates from the Inventory of U.South. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990–2019 (excludes land sector).

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The principal human activity that emits CO2 is the combustion of fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and oil) for energy and transportation, although certain industrial processes and land-use changes also emit CO2. The main sources of CO2 emissions in the United States are described beneath.

  • Transportation. The combustion of fossil fuels such equally gasoline and diesel to transport people and goods was the largest source of CO2 emissions in 2019, accounting for about 35 percent of total U.S. COtwo emissions and 28 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. This category includes transportation sources such as highway and rider vehicles, air travel, marine transportation, and rail.
  • Electricity. Electricity is a meaning source of energy in the U.s. and is used to power homes, business, and industry. In 2019, the combustion of fossil fuels to generate electricity was the second largest source of CO2 emissions in the nation, accounting for about 31 percent of total U.Southward. CO2 emissions and 24 percent of total U.Due south. greenhouse gas emissions. The types of fossil fuel used to generate electricity emit different amounts of CO2. To produce a given amount of electricity, burning coal volition produce more CO2 than natural gas or oil.
  • Industry. Many industrial processes emit COii through fossil fuel consumption. Several processes also produce COii emissions through chemical reactions that practise not involve combustion, and examples include the production of mineral products such as cement, the production of metals such as iron and steel, and the production of chemicals. Fossil fuel combustion from various industrial processes accounted for virtually 16 percent of full U.S. CO2 emissions and thirteen percent of full U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2019. Many industrial processes also employ electricity and therefore indirectly effect in COii emissions from electricity generation.

Carbon dioxide is constantly beingness exchanged amongst the temper, ocean, and state surface as information technology is both produced and captivated past many microorganisms, plants, and animals. Even so, emissions and removal of CO2 by these natural processes tend to residual, absent anthropogenic impacts. Since the Industrial Revolution began around 1750, man activities have contributed essentially to climate change by calculation CO2 and other heat-trapping gases to the temper.

In the United States, since 1990, the management of forests and other land (east.grand., cropland, grasslands, etc.) has acted every bit a net sink of CO2, which means that more CO2 is removed from the temper, and stored in plants and trees, than is emitted. This carbon sink offset is near 12 percent of total emissions in 2019 and is discussed in more than detail in the Country Use, Land-Apply Alter, and Forestry section.

To observe out more about the role of CO2 in warming the atmosphere and its sources, visit the Climate change Indicators page.

Emissions and Trends

Carbon dioxide emissions in the United States increased by most iii percent between 1990 and 2019. Since the combustion of fossil fuel is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, changes in emissions from fossil fuel combustion have historically been the dominant factor affecting total U.South. emission trends. Changes in COtwo emissions from fossil fuel combustion are influenced by many long-term and short-term factors, including population growth, economic growth, irresolute energy prices, new technologies, irresolute beliefs, and seasonal temperatures. Between 1990 and 2019, the increase in CO2 emissions corresponded with increased free energy use by an expanding economic system and population, including overall growth in emissions from increased demand for travel.

Line graph that shows the U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from 1990 to 2019. In 1990 carbon dioxide emissions started around 5,000 million metric tons, peaked in 2007 at around 6,000 million metric tons, decreased to 5,300 million metric tons in 2018.

Notation: All emission estimates from the Inventory of U.Southward. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990–2019.

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Reducing Carbon Dioxide Emissions

The most effective mode to reduce CO2 emissions is to reduce fossil fuel consumption. Many strategies for reducing CO2 emissions from energy are cross-cutting and apply to homes, businesses, manufacture, and transportation.

EPA is taking common sense regulatory actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

  • Learn nigh EPA's motor vehicle standards.
Examples of Reduction Opportunities for Carbon Dioxide
Strategy Examples of How Emissions Tin exist Reduced
Free energy Efficiency

Improving the insulation of buildings, traveling in more fuel-efficient vehicles, and using more efficient electrical appliances are all ways to reduce energy utilisation, and thus CO2 emissions.

  • See EPA's Free energy STAR® plan for more data on energy-efficient appliances.
  • See EPA's and DOE's fueleconomy.gov site for more information on fuel-efficient vehicles.
  • Larn about EPA's motor vehicle standards that ameliorate vehicle efficiency and salvage drivers money.
Free energy Conservation

Reducing personal energy utilize by turning off lights and electronics when not in use reduces electricity need. Reducing distance traveled in vehicles reduces petroleum consumption. Both are ways to reduce energy CO2 emissions through conservation.

Acquire more virtually What Yous Can Do at Home, at School, in the Office, and on the Road to save energy and reduce your carbon footprint.

Fuel Switching

Producing more than energy from renewable sources and using fuels with lower carbon contents are means to reduce carbon emissions.

Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS)

Carbon dioxide capture and sequestration is a set of technologies that can potentially greatly reduce CO2 emissions from new and existing coal- and gas-fired power plants, industrial processes, and other stationary sources of CO2. For instance, capturing CO2 from the stacks of a coal-fired power found before it enters the temper, transporting the COtwo via pipeline, and injecting the CO2 deep underground at a carefully selected and suitable subsurface geologic formation, such equally a nearby abandoned oil field, where information technology is securely stored.

Acquire more about CCS.

Changes in Uses of Land and State Management Practices

Learn more than about Land Use, Land Use Alter and Forestry Sector.

i Atmospheric CO2 is part of the global carbon cycle, and therefore its fate is a complex function of geochemical and biological processes. Some of the excess carbon dioxide volition be captivated apace (for example, by the ocean surface), merely some will remain in the atmosphere for thousands of years, due in part to the very slow process by which carbon is transferred to ocean sediments.

twoIPCC (2013). Climate change 2013: The Concrete Science Basis.Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Written report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climatic change. [Stocker, T. F., D. Qin, Grand.-K. Plattner, Grand. Tignor, S. K. Allen, J. Boschung, A. Nauels, Y. Xia, 5. Bex and P. M. Midgley (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, United states of america, 1585 pp.

Methane Emissions

In 2019, methane (CH4) accounted for virtually 10 per centum of all U.South. greenhouse gas emissions from homo activities. Man activities emitting methane include leaks from natural gas systems and the raising of livestock. Methane is likewise emitted past natural sources such as natural wetlands. In addition, natural processes in soil and chemic reactions in the temper help remove CHfour from the atmosphere. Methyl hydride's lifetime in the atmosphere is much shorter than carbon dioxide (CO2), merely CH4 is more efficient at trapping radiations than CO2. Pound for pound, the comparative touch of CHfour is 25 times greater than CO2 over a 100-year period.1

Globally, 50-65 percent of total CHfour emissions come up from man activities.2, 3 Methane is emitted from energy, industry, agronomics, land use, and waste direction activities, described below.

  • Agriculture. Domestic livestock such as cattle, swine, sheep, and goats produce CH4 as office of their normal digestive process. Also, when animal manure is stored or managed in lagoons or holding tanks, CH4 is produced. Because humans raise these animals for food and other products, the emissions are considered human-related. When livestock and manure emissions are combined, the Agronomics sector is the largest source of CHiv emissions in the United States. For more information, run into the Inventory of U.South. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks Agriculture chapter.  While not shown and less pregnant, emissions of CH4 also occur every bit a result of land use and land direction activities in the  State Employ, State-Use Modify, and Forestry sector (e.k. forest and grassland fires, decomposition of organic matter in coastal wetlands, etc.).
  • Energy and Industry. Natural gas and petroleum systems are the second largest source of CHfour emissions in the United states of america. Methane is the primary component of natural gas. Methane is emitted to the atmosphere during the product, processing, storage, transmission, and distribution of natural gas and the production, refinement, transportation, and storage of crude oil. Coal mining is besides a source of CH4 emissions. For more data, meet the Inventory of U.Due south. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks sections on Natural Gas Systems and Petroleum Systems.
  • Waste from Homes and Businesses . Methane is generated in landfills every bit waste decomposes and in the handling of wastewater. Landfills are the third-largest source of CHiv emissions in the United States. Methyl hydride is also generated from domestic and industrial wastewater treatment and from composting and anaerobic digestion. For more than information, see the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks Waste chapter.

Methane is too emitted from a number of natural sources. Natural wetlands are the largest source, emitting CH4 from leaner that decompose organic materials in the absence of oxygen. Smaller sources include termites, oceans, sediments, volcanoes, and wildfires.

To discover out more about the part of CH4 in warming the atmosphere and its sources, visit the Climate Modify Indicators folio.

Emissions and Trends

Methyl hydride emissions in the Usa decreased by xv percent betwixt 1990 and 2019. During this time menstruation, emissions increased from sources associated with agricultural activities, while emissions decreased from sources associated with landfills, coal mining, and from natural gas and petroleum systems.

Note: All emission estimates from the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2019 . These estimates use a global warming potential for methane of 25, based on reporting requirements under the United Nations Framework Convention on Clim

Note: All emission estimates from the Inventory of U.Southward. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2019 . These estimates use a global warming potential for methane of 25, based on reporting requirements under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Modify.

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Reducing Methane Emissions

There are a number of means to reduce CHiv emissions. Some examples are discussed beneath. EPA has a series of voluntary programs for reducing CHiv emissions, in addition to regulatory initiatives. EPA also supports the Global Marsh gas Initiative, an international partnership encouraging global methane reduction strategies.

Examples of Reduction Opportunities for Methyl hydride
Emissions Source How Emissions Tin can exist Reduced
Industry

Upgrading the equipment used to produce, store, and transport oil and natural gas tin reduce many of the leaks that contribute to CHiv emissions. Methane from coal mines can also be captured and used for energy. Learn more about the EPA's Natural Gas STAR Program and Coalbed Methane Outreach Plan.

Agriculture

Methyl hydride from manure management practices can be reduced and captured by altering manure management strategies. Additionally, modifications to fauna feeding practices may reduce emissions from enteric fermentation. Acquire more most improved manure direction practices at EPA's AgSTAR Plan.

Waste from Homes and Businesses

Because CHfour emissions from landfill gas are a major source of CH4 emissions in the United States, emission controls that capture landfill CHfour are an effective reduction strategy. Learn more than about these opportunities and the EPA's Landfill Methyl hydride Outreach Plan.

References

1IPCC (2007). Climate change 2007: The Concrete Scientific discipline Ground. Contribution of Working Grouping I to the Fourth Assessment Written report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Modify. [S. Solomon, D. Qin, M. Manning, Z. Chen, M. Marquis, M.B. Averyt, M. Tignor and H.50. Miller (eds.)]. Cambridge University Printing. Cambridge, United Kingdom 996 pp.
iiIPCC (2013). Climate Change 2013: The Concrete Science Ground.Contribution of Working Grouping I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. [Stocker, T. F., D. Qin, G.-Chiliad. Plattner, Thousand. Tignor, S. K. Allen, J. Boschung, A. Nauels, Y. Xia, 5. Bex and P. M. Midgley (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA, 1585 pp.
3The Global Carbon Project (2019).

Nitrous Oxide Emissions

In 2019, nitrous oxide (NiiO) accounted for about 7 per centum of all U.South. greenhouse gas emissions from homo activities. Homo activities such every bit agriculture, fuel combustion, wastewater management, and industrial processes are increasing the amount of N2O in the atmosphere. Nitrous oxide is also naturally present in the temper as part of the Earth's nitrogen cycle, and has a variety of natural sources. Nitrous oxide molecules stay in the atmosphere for an boilerplate of 114 years before being removed by a sink or destroyed through chemical reactions. The impact of 1 pound of North2O on warming the atmosphere is virtually 300 times that of 1 pound of carbon dioxide.1

Pie chart that shows different types of gases.

Note: All emission estimates from the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990–2019 (excludes land sector).

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Globally, nigh 40 percent of total NtwoO emissions come from human activities.2 Nitrous oxide is emitted from agriculture, land use, transportation, industry, and other activities, described beneath.

  • Agriculture . Nitrous oxide tin can upshot from various agricultural soil management activities, such as application of synthetic and organic fertilizers and other cropping practices, the management of manure, or called-for of agricultural residues. Agronomical soil management is the largest source of N2O emissions in the United States, accounting for about 75 pct of full U.S. Due north2O emissions in 2019. While not shown and less significant, emissions of Northward2O as well occur as a result of country utilize and land management activities in the Land Use, Country-Use Alter, and Forestry sector (e.g. forest and grassland fires, application of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers to urban soils (e.g., lawns, golf courses) and forest lands, etc.).
  • Fuel Combustion. Nitrous oxide is emitted when fuels are burned. The amount of North2O emitted from burning fuels depends on the type of fuel and combustion technology, maintenance, and operating practices.
  • Industry. Nitrous oxide is generated as a byproduct during the product of chemicals such every bit nitric acid, which is used to make synthetic commercial fertilizer, and in the production of adipic acid, which is used to make fibers, like nylon, and other synthetic products.
  • Waste. Nitrous oxide is also generated from treatment of domestic wastewater during nitrification and denitrification of the nitrogen nowadays, usually in the form of urea, ammonia, and proteins.

Nitrous oxide emissions occur naturally through many sources associated with the nitrogen cycle, which is the natural circulation of nitrogen amid the atmosphere, plants, animals, and microorganisms that alive in soil and water. Nitrogen takes on a variety of chemical forms throughout the nitrogen cycle, including NiiO. Natural emissions of NiiO are mainly from bacteria breaking down nitrogen in soils and the oceans. Nitrous oxide is removed from the atmosphere when it is captivated by certain types of bacteria or destroyed by ultraviolet radiations or chemical reactions.

To find out more virtually the sources of NiiO and its part in warming the atmosphere, visit the Climate Change Indicators page.

Emissions and Trends

Nitrous oxide emissions in the Us accept remained relatively apartment between 1990 and 2019. Nitrous oxide emissions from mobile combustion decreased by sixty percent from 1990 to 2019 as a result of emission command standards for on-route vehicles. Nitrous oxide emissions from agronomical soils have varied during this catamenia and were almost 9 percent higher in 2019 than in 1990, primarily driven past increasing utilise of nitrogen fertilizers.

Line chart that shows different types of gases.

Note: All emission estimates from the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990–2019.

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Reducing Nitrous Oxide Emissions

There are a number of ways to reduce emissions of N2O, discussed below.

Examples of Reduction Opportunities for Nitrous Oxide Emissions
Emissions Source Examples of How Emissions Tin can be Reduced
Agronomics

The application of nitrogen fertilizers accounts for the majority of N2O emissions in the United states. Emissions can be reduced by reducing nitrogen-based fertilizer applications and applying these fertilizers more than efficiently,three likewise as modifying a farm's manure management practices.

Fuel Combustion
  • Nitrous oxide is a byproduct of fuel combustion, and then reducing fuel consumption in motor vehicles and secondary sources tin reduce emissions.
  • Additionally, the introduction of pollution control technologies (due east.1000., catalytic converters to reduce exhaust pollutants from passenger cars) can also reduce emissions of N2O.

Industry
  • Nitrous oxide is more often than not emitted from industry through fossil fuel combustion, so technological upgrades and fuel switching are effective ways to reduce industry emissions of Due northtwoO.
  • Production of adipic acid results in NiiO emissions that can exist reduced through technological upgrades.

References

1 IPCC (2007) Climate change 2007: The Physical Science Ground. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Study of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change. [S. Solomon, D. Qin, M. Manning, Z. Chen, Thou. Marquis, K.B. Averyt, Grand. Tignor and H.Fifty. Miller (eds.)]. Cambridge University Printing. Cambridge, United kingdom 996 pp.
twoIPCC (2013). Climate change 2013: The Concrete Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Cess Study of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climatic change. [Stocker, T. F., D. Qin, Grand.-G. Plattner, M. Tignor, South. Grand. Allen, J. Boschung, A. Nauels, Y. Xia, V. Bex and P. M. Midgley (eds.)]. Cambridge University Printing, Cambridge, United kingdom and New York, NY, United states, 1585 pp.
3EPA (2005). Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Potential in U.S. Forestry and Agriculture. U.S. Environmental Protection Bureau, Washington, DC, USA.

Emissions of Fluorinated Gases

Different many other greenhouse gases, fluorinated gases have no natural sources and only come from human-related activities. They are emitted through their utilise as substitutes for ozone-depleting substances (e.g., every bit refrigerants) and through a variety of industrial processes such as aluminum and semiconductor manufacturing. Many fluorinated gases have very loftier global warming potentials (GWPs) relative to other greenhouse gases, and so small atmospheric concentrations can have disproportionately large effects on global temperatures. They can also have long atmospheric lifetimes—in some cases, lasting thousands of years. Like other long-lived greenhouse gases, well-nigh fluorinated gases are well-mixed in the atmosphere, spreading around the world after they are emitted. Many fluorinated gases are removed from the temper only when they are destroyed by sunlight in the far upper atmosphere. In full general, fluorinated gases are the most potent and longest lasting type of greenhouse gases emitted by human being activities.

There are four main categories of fluorinated gases—hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3). The largest sources of fluorinated gas emissions are described below.

  • Substitution for Ozone-Depleting Substances. Hydrofluorocarbons are used equally refrigerants, aerosol propellants, foam blowing agents, solvents, and fire retardants. The major emissions source of these compounds is their use as refrigerants—for example, in air conditioning systems in both vehicles and buildings. These chemicals were developed as a replacement for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) because they practice non deplete the stratospheric ozone layer. Chlorofluorocarbons and HCFCs are being phased out under an international agreement, called the Montreal Protocol. HFCs are potent greenhouse gases with high GWPs, and they are released into the atmosphere during manufacturing processes and through leaks, servicing, and disposal of equipment in which they are used. Newly adult hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) are a subset of HFCs and are characterized past short atmospheric lifetimes and lower GWPs. HFOs are currently being introduced every bit refrigerants, aerosol propellants and foam blowing agents. The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Human action of 2020 directs EPA to address HFCs by providing new regime in iii main areas: to phase down the production and consumption of listed HFCs in the U.s.a. by 85 per centum over the next 15 years, manage these HFCs and their substitutes, and facilitate the transition to next-generation technologies that do not rely on HFCs.
  • Industry. Perfluorocarbons are produced as a byproduct of aluminum production and are used in the manufacturing of semiconductors. PFCs mostly have long atmospheric lifetimes and GWPs nearly x,000. Sulfur hexafluoride is used in magnesium processing and semiconductor manufacturing, besides equally a tracer gas for leak detection. HFC-23 is produced as a byproduct of HCFC-22 production and is used in semiconductor manufacturing.
  • Transmission and Distribution of Electricity. Sulfur hexafluoride is used as an insulating gas in electrical manual equipment, including circuit breakers. The GWP of SF6 is 22,800, making it the nigh potent greenhouse gas that the Intergovernmental Console on Climatic change has evaluated.

To detect out more than nearly the office of fluorinated gases in warming the atmosphere and their sources, visit the Fluorinated Greenhouse Gas Emissions page.

Emissions and Trends

Overall, fluorinated gas emissions in the United States have increased by near 86 percent between 1990 and 2019. This increase has been driven past a 275 pct increase in emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) since 1990, as they accept been widely used every bit a substitute for ozone-depleting substances. Emissions of perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) have actually declined during this fourth dimension due to emission reduction efforts in the aluminum production manufacture (PFCs) and the electricity manual and distribution industry (SF6).

Line chart that shows different types of gases.

Annotation: All emission estimates from the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990–2019.

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Reducing Fluorinated Gas Emissions

Because nearly fluorinated gases have a very long atmospheric lifetime, it will take many years to come across a noticeable decline in current concentrations. However, there are a number of ways to reduce emissions of fluorinated gases, described below.

Examples of Reduction Opportunities for Fluorinated Gases
Emissions Source Examples of How Emissions Tin can exist Reduced
Substitution of Ozone-Depleting Substances in Homes and Businesses

Refrigerants used by businesses and residences emit fluorinated gases. Emissions tin be reduced by better handling of these gases and use of substitutes with lower global warming potentials and other technological improvements. Visit EPA'southward Ozone Layer Protection site to larn more than about reduction opportunities in this sector.

Manufacture

Industrial users of fluorinated gases tin reduce emissions by adopting fluorinated gas recycling and destruction processes, optimizing production to minimize emissions, and replacing these gases with alternatives. EPA has experience with these gases in the following sectors:

  • Aluminum
  • Magnesium
  • Semiconductor
Electricity Transmission and Distribution

Sulfur hexafluoride is an extremely potent greenhouse gas that is used for several purposes when transmitting electricity through the power grid. EPA is working with industry to reduce emissions through the SF6 Emission Reduction Partnership for Electric Power Systems, which promotes leak detection and repair, apply of recycling equipment, and employee training.

Transportation

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are released through the leakage of refrigerants used in vehicle air-conditioning systems. Leakage can exist reduced through improve organization components, and through the utilise of alternative refrigerants with lower global warming potentials than those soon used. EPA'southward light-duty and heavy-duty vehicle standards provided incentives for manufacturers to produce vehicles with lower HFC emissions.

References

1IPCC (2007) Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climatic change. [S. Solomon, D. Qin, G. Manning, Z. Chen, M. Marquis, M.B. Averyt, Yard. Tignor and H.50. Miller (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge, United Kingdom 996 pp.

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Source: https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/overview-greenhouse-gases#:~:text=Carbon%20Dioxide%20Emissions&text=Carbon%20dioxide%20(CO2)%20is,gas%20emitted%20through%20human%20activities.

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