What are the sources of the major greenhouse gases?

Answer 1

Global warming is caused primarily by what are commonly called greenhouse gasses. Several gasses are classified as greenhouse gasses but the most significant two are, first carbon dioxide and, second methane.

Answer 2

The major contributors to global climate change (some areas get colder, some hotter, some wetter and some drier) are:

• Carbon dioxide (essentially a man made contribution abetted by the loss of forest cover which was a carbon sink)
• Methane (essentially a man made contribution but also a derivative effect as warmer permafrost and methane hydrates in the sea are giving up methane)
• Insolation ( changes in the sun's output - a natural cycle)
• Reduction of albedo (loss of polar ice reduces reflection of heat back into space)
• Water vapour (a derivative cause - warmer weather causes more water vapour in the air. Water vapour is a GHG)

Balancing this is the increasing cloud cover from more water vapour condensing into clouds and the clouds generated as jet contrails.

A:Water vapor is the largest single gas and has up to 80% of all warming associated with it

CO2 is in second place providing the bulk of the rest of this warming. (Almost 20%)

Nature provides all but 0.28% of the Green house gases. Man gives us the rest. In terms of CO2 production man causes 6% of this. Much of this 6% comes from items we would see producing CO2 anyway. Over half of the green house gases we produce is created by the use of our homes and offices.

Answer 3

The original source of global warming is the radiation from the sun. This warmth is captured in the atmosphere by the greenhouse gases, which prevent some infrared radiation from escaping into space. The carbon cycle moves carbon in and out of the atmosphere, and has been supporting the natural greenhouse effect for millions of years, keeping the planet warm.

Since the Industrial Revolution (about 1750) man has been burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) for industry, transport and to generate electricity. As well as this we have cut down the great forests of the world that used to absorb vast quantities of carbon dioxide from the air.

When fossil fuel is burned, it releases carbon dioxide(CO2), a powerful greenhouse gas. This CO2 has been hidden underground for millions of years too, so it is an extra load which the carbon cycle is unable to move out of the atmosphere. This extra greenhouse gas increases the greenhouse effect, making the planet warmer.

Answer 4

Greenhouse gases are produced by a variety of things. The three main greenhouse gases are methane, which is produced by natural gases, landfills and cow flatulence. Carbon dioxide which is caused by fossil fuel usage, and water vapor. Water vapor is ranked the number one most omitted greenhouse gas.

Answer 5

Most energy is produced by burning fossil fuels in electricity power plants. Fossil fuels are coal, oil and natural gas. They all release carbon dioxide when burnt. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas which is adding to the enhanced greenhouse effect causing global warming.

Answer 6

The big three greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming include carbon dioxide, which comes almost exclusively from burning fossil fuels. The other two are methane and nitrous oxide, which come mostly from animal and agricultural waste.