Module 2: Climate and Agriculture

AVS 4150 (Contemp. Issues in AVS)

Carbon Footprint

The amount of greenhouse gases and specifically carbon dioxide emitted by something (such as a person’s activities or a product’s manufacture and transport) during a given period.

Greenhouse Gas

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere.

Planetary Greenhouse Effect

Trapping of heat close to the Earth’s surface by gases.

Prominent Greenhouse Gases

Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), Nitrous Oxide (N2O), Fluorinated Gases (HFC’s), Water

Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2e)

Equal to the amount of heat an equivalent amount of CO2 would be expected to trap over the next 100 years.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Half Life: 10s - 100s of years

Removed by: plants, the ocean, geological formations

Methane (CH4)

CO2e = 28

Half Life: ~10 years

Major push to reduce because of the short half life

Nitrous Oxide (N2O)

Half Life: > 100 years (in atmosphere)

CO2e = 273

Very small part of emissions

Fertilization of crops is the largest contributor

Fluorinated Gases (HFC’s)

CO2e = 14,600

Half Life (in atmosphere): 270 - 50,000 years

Water (H2O)

Most common greenhouse gas (vapor)

Quickly leave the atmosphere

Warmer air will increase greenhouse gas effect