Knowra Greenhouse gas emissions Greenhouse gas emissions Greenhouse gas emissions are releases of gases that absorb and re-emit infrared radiation into the atmosphere. They arise from natural processes and human activities, with human emissions driving recent global warming.
Greenhouse effect : The warming that occurs when atmospheric gases absorb and re-emit infrared radiation. Emissions strengthen this process by raising heat-trapping gas concentrations.
Carbon dioxide : A colorless gas composed of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms, naturally present in Earth's atmosphere. It is the largest contributor to human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.
Greenhouse gas inventory : A systematic estimate of greenhouse gas emissions and removals for a place, organization, or activity. Inventories organize emissions by source so progress can be measured.
Natural greenhouse gas emissions : Releases of heat-trapping gases from processes such as respiration, wetlands, volcanoes, and ocean exchange. They are part of natural cycles, unlike the additional emissions driving current warming.
Carbon cycle : The movement of carbon among the atmosphere, oceans, living organisms, soils, and rocks. It determines how long emitted carbon dioxide remains in the atmosphere.
Methane : A colorless hydrocarbon gas with one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms. It is a potent greenhouse gas released by energy, agriculture, waste, and natural sources.
Nationally determined contribution : A country's climate action plan submitted under the Paris Agreement. These plans specify national commitments to limit or reduce emissions.
Greenhouse gas removals : Processes that take greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere and store them in reservoirs. Removals counter atmospheric buildup rather than adding to it.
Atmospheric lifetime : The characteristic time a substance remains in the atmosphere before removal or chemical transformation. Different gas lifetimes govern how emissions affect climate over time.
Nitrous oxide : A greenhouse gas composed of two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Fertilizer use and other human activities release this long-lived heat-trapping gas.
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