Causes of Climate Change

Causes of Climate Change

Greenhouse Gases

• Carbon dioxide (CO2): primary contributor to climate change, released through fossil fuel burning, deforestation, and land-use changes
• Methane (CH4): released through agriculture, natural gas production, and landfills
• Nitrous oxide (N2O): released through agriculture, industrial processes, and burning fossil fuels
• Fluorinated gases (F-gases): released through industrial processes, refrigeration, and air conditioning

Human Activities

• Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) for energy: releases CO2 and other greenhouse gases
• Deforestation and land-use changes: releases CO2, reduces carbon sequestration, and alters ecosystems
• Agriculture: releases methane and N2O through livestock, rice cultivation, and fertilizer use
• Industrial processes: releases F-gases and other greenhouse gases through manufacturing and production
• Transportation: releases CO2 and other greenhouse gases through vehicle emissions

Natural Factors

• Volcanic eruptions: releases sulfur dioxide, which can reflect sunlight and cool the planet
• Changes in Earth's orbit: affects the amount of solar energy the planet receives
• Solar variability: changes in the sun's energy output can impact global temperatures

Feedback Loops

• Ice-albedo feedback: melting ice reduces Earth's albedo, amplifying warming
• Water vapor feedback: increased temperatures lead to more water vapor, amplifying warming
• Thawing permafrost: releases methane and CO2, amplifying warming
• Ocean acidification: absorbs CO2, reducing its ability to absorb more, amplifying warming

Causes of Climate Change

Greenhouse Gases

• CO2 is the primary contributor to climate change, primarily released through fossil fuel burning, deforestation, and land-use changes
• Methane is released through agriculture (especially livestock and rice cultivation), natural gas production, and landfills
• Nitrous oxide is released through agriculture, industrial processes, and burning fossil fuels
• Fluorinated gases (F-gases) are released through industrial processes, refrigeration, and air conditioning

Human Activities

• Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) releases CO2 and other greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change
• Deforestation and land-use changes release CO2, reduce carbon sequestration, and alter ecosystems
• Agriculture leads to methane and N2O emissions through livestock, rice cultivation, and fertilizer use
• Industrial processes release F-gases and other greenhouse gases through manufacturing and production
• Transportation emits CO2 and other greenhouse gases through vehicle emissions

Natural Factors

• Volcanic eruptions release sulfur dioxide, which can reflect sunlight and cool the planet
• Changes in Earth's orbit affect the amount of solar energy the planet receives
• Solar variability changes impact global temperatures through changes in the sun's energy output

Feedback Loops

• Melting ice reduces Earth's albedo, amplifying warming through the ice-albedo feedback loop
• Increased temperatures lead to more water vapor, amplifying warming through the water vapor feedback loop
• Thawing permafrost releases methane and CO2, amplifying warming
• Ocean acidification reduces the ocean's ability to absorb CO2, amplifying warming