Greenhouse gases are atmospheric constituents that absorb and emit infrared radiation, thereby contributing to the greenhouse effect and Earth’s radiative energy balance. Major greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), ozone (O₃), and various halogenated compounds, along with water vapour (H₂O) as a feedback agent. Their radiative forcing depends on concentration, spectral absorption properties, atmospheric lifetime, and overlap with other absorbers. In climate research, greenhouse gases are quantified via metrics such as global warming potential and effective radiative forcing to assess their contribution to anthropogenic climate change and to inform emissions mitigation strategies.
Emissions don't just come from the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas. Food waste sent to landfills contributes up to 10% of all emissions, equivalent to more emissions than that of the entire aviation sector, ...
Environment
Apr 17, 2025
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A new study published in the Journal of Remote Sensing has revealed that current satellite systems underestimate total CO₂ emissions from U.S. thermal power plants by 70% (±12%).
Environment
Apr 14, 2025
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Research led by the Union of Concerned Scientists reports that emissions from the world's largest fossil fuel and cement companies have contributed significantly to both present-day and long-term sea level rise. Products ...
Unexpectedly strong methane emissions have been detected at several locations in Lake Siljan, Sweden, according to a new study from Chalmers University of Technology. The findings, based on a novel measurement technique developed ...
Earth Sciences
Apr 8, 2025
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Gases used in anesthesia are potent greenhouse gases, and their total global impact has not previously been known. A study published in The Lancet Planetary Health led by Lund University shows that greenhouse gas emissions ...
Environment
Apr 3, 2025
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Captured carbon dioxide (CO₂) could be stored deep beneath the German North Sea. However, due to limited storage capacity and potential environmental risks, this option should only be used for residual emissions that remain ...
Environment
Apr 3, 2025
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Scientists know that streams and rivers can contribute significant quantities of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. One way these bodies of water come to contain greenhouse gases is via groundwater, which picks up carbon ...
Earth Sciences
Mar 31, 2025
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California will soon start using satellite technology to track down methane and other greenhouse gas emissions that may otherwise go undetected from sites around the state, such as oil and gas operations, landfills and livestock ...
Environment
Mar 31, 2025
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Most of the United States' major climate regulations are underpinned by one important document: It's called the endangerment finding, and it concludes that greenhouse gas emissions are a threat to human health and welfare.
Earth Sciences
Mar 20, 2025
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The latest deadline for countries to submit plans for slashing the greenhouse gas emissions fueling climate change has passed. Only 15 countries met it—less than 8% of the 194 parties currently signed up for the Paris agreement, ...
Environment
Mar 19, 2025
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