How has Greenhouse Gas changed in the last decade?
Greenhouse gas emissions have continued to increase over the last decade, contributing to the global climate crisis. Despite efforts to reduce emissions, the levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) have been rising, primarily due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. The increase in greenhouse gases is a significant driver of global warming and climate change, leading to severe environmental impacts, including rising temperatures, melting ice caps, more frequent extreme weather events, and ocean acidification.
Long answer
Over the last decade, greenhouse gas emissions have remained on an upward trajectory, exacerbating the global climate crisis. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the primary greenhouse gas emitted by human activities and has seen significant increases. According to data from the Global Carbon Project, CO2 emissions reached record levels in 2018 at around 37 billion metric tons per year. This upward trend can be attributed to fossil fuel combustion for energy production and transportation, as well as deforestation which reduces the Earth’s capacity to absorb CO2 through photosynthesis.
Methane (CH4) is another potent greenhouse gas that has experienced an increase in the past decade. Agriculture practices like livestock production and rice cultivation are major sources of methane emissions. Additionally, leaks from oil and gas operations contribute significantly. Other sources include landfills and natural wetlands. While methane accounts for a smaller proportion of total greenhouse gas emissions compared to CO2, it has a much higher warming potential per unit mass over shorter time scales.
Nitrous oxide (N2O), mainly emitted through agricultural activities such as fertilizer use and livestock waste management systems, also saw steady increases over the past decade. Nitrous oxide is not only a potent greenhouse gas but also plays a role in stratospheric ozone depletion.
It is worth noting that while efforts have been made worldwide to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, they have not been sufficient to counteract the overall increase. International agreements like the Paris Agreement aim to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and strive for efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. However, achieving these targets will require substantial and immediate actions from governments, industries, and individuals to transition towards renewable energy sources, improve energy efficiency, adopt sustainable land use practices, and invest in carbon capture and storage technologies.
In summary, greenhouse gas emissions have continued to rise over the last decade primarily due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. This increase in greenhouse gases is a significant driver of global warming and climate change with severe environmental consequences. It is crucial for societies worldwide to undertake ambitious measures aimed at reducing emissions in order to mitigate the impacts of climate change on both present and future generations.