What are greenhouse gases? Greenhouse gases are gases in their own right, and have been present in our atmosphere since time immemorial. They have special characteristics: They capture a significant portion of the infrared rays reflected from the sun back to Earth They can havea natural or anthropic origin They heat the air The most incisive property of greenhouse gases on the environment is undoubtedly their capacity to store the sun's rays and heat the air as a consequenceThis is the greenhouse effect, an important condition for the presence of life on Earth. So why do we always talk about it in a negative way? Unfortunately with the industrialization processes of the past centuries the greenhouse effect has increasedcreating a temperature rise really worrying. What are greenhouse gases and where do they come from?Greenhouse gases can be of natural origin and of anthropogenic (generated by man). Their concentration in the atmosphere is not always constant, but fluctuates as an effect of different processes, such as the normal alternation of heat and cold. Among the most known and widespread greenhouse gases and widespread are: Water vapor (H2O): the No. 1 contributor to the greenhouse effect among natural greenhouse gases. It has the highest concentration in the atmosphere, but has practically no effect on man-made climate change. Carbon Dioxide (CO2): accounts for about 15% of the natural greenhouse effect. Nitrogen Protoxide (N2O): low concentrations in the atmosphere but retains 300 times more heat than carbon dioxide. Methane (CH4): affects global warming for about 8%. Very harmful because of its high capacity to retain heat Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6): persists in the atmosphere for a long time and its effects can last up to a thousand years. To complete the picture of greenhouse gases responsible for global warming, it is necessary to mention the gases of totally anthropogenic origin: the halocarbons such as CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) and other molecules containing chlorine and fluorine. They are currently the greenhouse gases most worrying and dangerous for our planet. Greenhouse gases and the greenhouse effect: the consequencesThe main greenhouse gases are present in nature in limited concentrationsTherefore they would generate a balanced greenhouse effect, without excess heat. The anthropic sources However, anthropogenic sources have greatly increased their presence since the beginning of the 1900s, when industrialization was in full swing. The excessive emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere over the last few centuries has led to the current climate crisis. Earth is no longer able to absorb the right amount of natural gases and has overheated. overheated. The effects of this imbalance are widely known: Melting of glaciers Rising sea levels Changing seasons Drought Increase in extreme weather phenomena such as floods Increased presence of arid areas Loss of biodiversity Greenhouse gases: what to do to decrease emissions?Life on Earth, including our own, is seriously threatened and it is necessary to implement a series of sustainable sustainable actions to ensure a future for every species. These behaviors may include harnessing renewable energy sources, adopting less intensive farming and ranching systems, and preserving natural areas. If you want to contribute to the fight against global warming, you can implement some strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a small way: Travel more sustainably, reducing air travel Choose sustainable transportation and low-impact cars Invest in more energy-efficient appliances Install solar panels for your home Do not waste energy Switch to a zero-mile or vegetarian diet Do correctly the separate collection of rubbish Finally, remember to opt for conscious purchasing choices that reduce consumption, such as that of the products R5 Living products for the home, the person and the laundry, which reduce disposable plastic and CO2 equivalent emissions.
