'THESE WRETCHED CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS'

The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energies could reduce impact of climate change.

The earth's atmosphere contains important greenhouse gases [GHGs] mainly in the form of water vapour containing small amounts of carbon dioxide [CO2], methane [CH4] and nitrous oxide [N2O].

CHGs function as a thermal blanket for the planet, absorbing heat from the sun and keeping its surface warm [on average 15 degrees C] to support life.

Thus, one of the natural causes of global warming also enables life. However, the current expansion of  global warming is a serious environmental issue that may affect humans and other living organisms.

It occurs when the earth's atmosphere and surface are gradually heated up and because of the presence of trapped thermal infrared radiation that fails to escape into outer space because increasing levels of GHGs forming a thick blanket over the earth.

This keeps the planet's surface warm, far above what it would be without its atmosphere. This process is also known as the greenhouse effect.

The existence of past global warming does not necessarily suggest that current global warming is natural.

Climate scientists have unanimously agreed that the main cause is human activity; this rather than any other phenomena, has expanded the greenhouse effects.

In the natural environment, methane is the most potent GHG. However, CO2 is the most significant since it exists in the largest concentration and has a longer lifetime than methane.

Recently, human activities have continued to increased CO2 concentrations and have contributed to the emission of chlorofluorocarbons 'CFCs], which have heat trapping potential a thousand times greater than CO2.

CFCs have been banned in most parts of the world because they degrade the earth's ozone layer. However, since their concentrations are  much lower than CO2, they do not add as much warmth to the atmosphere.

It is clear that high concentrations of CO2 emissions are the main cause of global warming leading climate change.

Where do CO2 emissions originate from?

They are mainly caused by the energy-driven consumption of fossil-fuels.

According to the United States  Environmental Protection Agency, CO2 emissions mainly originate from electricity production [25 percent], industry [21 percent], transportation [14 percent]-

Commercial and residential buildings [6 percent], sum of agriculture activities. land use and forestry [24 percent] and other energy uses [10 percent].