The Different Kinds of Greenhouse Gases
What are the different kinds of greenhouse gases: There are four main greenhouse gases: Carbon dioxide, Nitrous oxide, Fluorinated gases and Methane.
Carbon dioxide is put into the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels (e.g., coal, natural gas, oil, solid waste, and trees.) One of the causes for carbon dioxide emissions for factory farms is forest clearance to grow the crops and rear the animals which reduces vital carbon “sinks” and releases gases previously stored in the soil and vegetation (“Environmental Damage”). In order for factory farms to be able to produce the amount of feed they need for the animals they are clearing and burning forests to be able to utilize the land.
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“Methane is emitted during the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil” (“Overview of Greenhouse Gases”). Methane also comes from livestock and some of the other agricultural practices. “Methane emissions from the digestive processes of cattle contribute 39 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions from livestock production, and manure storage and processing contribute 10 percent” (Hauter). Greenhouse gases are not a good thing for the atmosphere and can cause global warming and many other problems.
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Another one of the main greenhouse gases is Nitrous oxide. “Nitrous oxide is emitted during agricultural and industrial activities, combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste” (“Overview of Greenhouse Gases”). When fossil fuels are burned some nitrous oxide is being released into the atmosphere. “Livestock farming produces 65% of our global nitrous oxide emissions'' (“Environmental Damage”). One of the main reasons is due to animal waste and the use of the fertilizer. The reason that this loop is created is because with factory farms come the need for lots of feed. For that crops to grow fertilizer is sprayed on and this cycle repeats and causes more greenhouse gasses to be released.
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Fluorinated gases are the final greenhouse gas. “These gases are typically emitted in smaller quantities, but because they are potent greenhouse gases.” These gases have a higher potential to cause global warming. Most of the time these gases come from human activities. The fluorinated gases are one of the longest lasting greenhouse gases that stays in the atmosphere. “Fluorinated gas emissions in the United States have increased by about 83.4 percent between 1990 and 2018” (“Overview of Greenhouse Gases”).