Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are emitted by numerous activities – the main greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide (CO2), which arises from the burning of fossil fuels and land use changes. Other GHGs include methane (CH4), from agriculture and waste food and nitrous oxide (N2O), mainly arising from agriculture. Industrial gases such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) also act as very powerful greenhouse gases but are emitted in much smaller quantities.
Generally the sources of emissions can be broadly divided into two categories:
(1) energy related
(2) non-energy related.
Energy related emissions arise through power generation, transport, industry, and buildings (heating and other fuel use).
Non-energy related emissions arise from agriculture, forestry, land use change and waste disposal activities.
The cycle of greenhouse gases are part of life on earth. However, it is the enhanced levels of emissions of these gases that is currently part of modern life which we need to address. If we are to effectively reduce current excessive emissions of greenhouse gases, fundamental changes are required in the way energy is produced and consumed, work is organised, leisure and travel and management of land and forests.
Excellent question put by Dr. Das. the main human contribution towards greenhouse gasses are key source burning of fossil fuel such as coal, oil and gas. CO2 from burning of fossil fuels is the largest single source of green house gas emissions (three-quarters) from human activities. Methane is another green house gas contributed by human activity due to deforestation. Green house gas trap heat and make the planet warmer resulted climate change.
S.Das ji,
Human activities that produce GHGs are:
Energy related-
1. Coal combustion
2. Fire-wood combustion
3. Petrol , diesel and oil combustion
Non-Energy related-
1. Dairy farming
2. Paddy cultivation
3. Application of un-decomposed Organic materials to agricultural fields
4. Application of N-fertilizers to crops which produce N2O
Among GHGs, CH4 methane is more dangerous than any others.
Add more...?
Thanks
Many points were already raised by our colleagues. The question is "How"? For example, how land use change lead to additional greenhouse gases? When forest land is converted to agricultural land, huge amount of carbon in the biomass is converted CO2.
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