Greenhouse Gas Emissions: How Do Energy Sources Add Up?
We have all heard about global warming and the role greenhouse gases play in it. Greenhouse gases are bad. We get that. But what are greenhouse gases and where do they come from? Where do we need to cut back in order to make the biggest change and save our planet? There are many harmful greenhouse gases, each with its own major sources.
There are several different greenhouse gases that are harming our planet, with the most common being carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases (HCFC, CFC, and halons). Burning fossil fuels, solid waste, and wood products produces CO2. The manufacture of cement is also a source of CO2 production. Methane is released during the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and petroleum. It is also created in large quantities by livestock production and decomposition of landfills. Sources of nitrous oxide are the combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste. Most industrial and agricultural activities are also major sources of nitrous oxide production. The fluorinated gases are the most potent of all greenhouse gases and are usually produced synthetically as by-products of other things.
One of the greatest offenders in greenhouse gas production is something we are almost all guilty of. Driving. The average gas-burning vehicle produces an average of 5.2 tons of CO2 per year. Diesel-burning automobiles fare very little better at an average of 5.06 tons per year. Considering the fact that the United States alone has around 250 million registered vehicles, the effect on the environment from automobiles is staggering.
Another major source of harmful emissions is the use of coal. Almost every facet of coal usage contributes to the problem, from mining to producing electricity. Coal-burning energy plants produce about 2 billion tons of CO2 annually, which adds up to about 20% of total global emissions. If it is so harmful, why do we use it? Coal is one of the cheapest energy sources currently available on a large scale. Burning coal produces an estimated 50% of the United States' power. And, since the U.S. has enough coal reserves to last 250 years or more, many are unwilling to stop using it. Unfortunately, burning coal, also releases large of amounts of methane, which has a greenhouse gas effect that is 21 times more potent than CO2.
Another major source of greenhouse gases is natural gas. Promoted as a "clean" energy source, natural gas is anything but. This is another energy source that causes harm to the environment during every stage of its production and use. Natural gas is responsible for 18% of the United States' greenhouse gas emissions, including methane.
If all of our traditional energy sources are releasing greenhouse gases, what can we do? We can switch to alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, or nuclear power. All of these sources produce little or no greenhouse gases and are often more economical than traditional fuels. Do your part to encourage the change to green energy. It's for the good of us all.
