Reducing Ozone Depletion and The Greenhouse Effect

Flashcards covering strategies for reducing ozone depletion, the greenhouse effect, and sources/types of greenhouse gas emissions.

Tariffs on Products (Ozone)

A strategy to reduce ozone depletion by introducing tariffs on products from countries using chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Tax Credits/Rebates (Ozone)

Offering tax credits or rebates for turning in old refrigerators and air conditioners to reduce ozone depletion.

Legislation (Ozone)

Supporting legislation to reduce ozone-destroying products in aerosol propellants, fire extinguishers, hairsprays, and foam insulation.

Coolant Alternatives

Using helium, ammonia, propane, or butane as coolant alternatives to HCFCs and CFCs.

HCFCs Greenhouse Warming Potential

HCFCs have a greenhouse warming potential 1,725 times greater than carbon dioxide.

Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer

United Nations protocol that led to the phasing out of HCFCs in developed countries.

Infrared Radiation

Heat reflected back toward space from Earth's surface; absorbed by greenhouse gases.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases that absorb infrared radiation and trap heat in the atmosphere.

Carbon Cycle

Natural processes regulating the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Anthropogenic Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Human-produced carbon dioxide emissions, about half of which are not absorbed by natural processes.

Industrial Revolution (Greenhouse Gases)

The time period around 1750 when atmospheric concentrations of CO2, CH4, and N2O began to increase substantially.

Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions Sources

Economic activities that lead to the production of greenhouse gases.

Agriculture Emissions

Management of agricultural soils, livestock, rice production, and biomass burning.

Energy Supply Emissions

Burning of coal, natural gas, and oil for electricity and heat; the largest single source of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Land Use and Forestry Emissions

Deforestation, land clearing for agriculture, strip-mining, fires, and decay of peat soils.

Fluorinated gases (F-gases)

Industrial processes, refrigeration, and consumer products contributing to emissions of F-gases like HFCs, PFCs, and SF6.

Methane (CH4) Emissions Sources

Agricultural activities, waste management, and energy use.

Nitrous Oxide (N2O) Emissions

Primarily from fertilizer use.

Deforestation CO2 emissions

Accounts for 5 billion metric tons of CO2 emissions, about 16% of emissions from fossil fuel sources.

Global Warming

Impacts the weather, the economy, and numerous other aspects of life.