The Rundown on Greenhouse Gases
What are greenhouse gases?
Greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation from the earth, trapping heat. Increased emissions of greenhouse gases change the composition of these gases that already exist in the atmosphere. Such gases include nitrous oxide, methane, and carbon dioxide. These emissions have long residence times in the atmosphere, meaning the effects of these emissions will be felt well into the future.
What is the greenhouse gas effect?
The natural greenhouse effect is essential as it warms the surface of the earth to allow the development of life we have seen thus far. However, since industrialization, the emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous dioxide have risen dramatically. Today, there is 40% more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere compare to a pre-industrial era. Where has this increase come from? CO2 is released into the atmosphere through the decomposition of organic matter. At the same time, photosynthesis helps to significantly decrease carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This explains many initiatives calling for the planting of trees.
Is it our fault?
The aspects of climate change will persist for centuries even if carbon dioxide emissions are completely stopped. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has deemed the warming of the climate to be unequivocal and is mostly attributed to human influence. All of this is to say that the emissions of greenhouse gases, and more broadly climate change, pose a serious threat and require action. Man-made carbon dioxide sources mainly point to the combustion processes of fossil fuels. Other anthropogenic sources of carbon dioxide that intensify the greenhouse gas effect include the clearing of forests and wetlands. Consequently, the temperature of the earth’s surface has increased by 0.85°C, or by 33.53°F, globally since the beginning of the 20th century.
When should we start worrying?
One of the policies that resulted from early benefit-cost studies of options to tackle climate change was “wait-and-see.” This policy advocates to act as more information becomes available. It would allow governments and private agents to not overspend or to not spend efficiently. A recent study by the MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change found that delaying action of climate change will drastically increase mitigation costs for the future. Another important point to understand is governments will have to act without complete information about the benefits and costs regarding climate change. Therefore, missteps are possible. The results of being wrong, however, are asymmetric. If policy against climate change is too proactive, which seems unlikely, governments risk spending too much. On the contrary, if action on climate change comes too late, it might be impossible to stem the tide of disasters that could very possibly ensue. Basically, start worrying now.
References
[2]What is the greenhouse gas effect?
[4]Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
[5]MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change
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