One of the key sustainability issues in recent years relevant to human activity is increase in the

greenhouse gases emission.

Our Earth’s atmosphere is largely transparent to the Sun’s energy. Most of the Sun’s energy arriving
to our Earth is in the form of light. Earth’s surface partly reflects sun light back out to space and partly
absorbed as heat. The greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere absorb the sun light reflected by
earth’s surface and re-radiate them back to earth. This is the reason for our Earth to be warmer.

Life on Earth depends on the presence of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The greenhouse gases
protect our planet’s surface from becoming a cold space. Without greenhouse gases, the Earth’s
average climate would be about 33 °C cooler from our current temperature.

The atmospheric concentrations of some greenhouse gases are being affected directly by human
activities namely carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), ozone (O3), and
fluorinated gases such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Water vapour is
also a major greenhouse gas, but its concentration in the atmosphere is not influenced directly by
human activities.

Most of the human activities cause the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to increase than the
optimal level. Below are the reasons for increase in greenhouse gases and ways to remove them from
atmosphere.

Carbon dioxide (CO2): Carbon dioxide enters the Earth’s atmosphere mainly through burning of fossil
fuels like coal, natural gas, and oil. Carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere mostly by plants.

Methane (CH4): Methane is emitted during the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil.
Minor amount of methane is emitted from livestocks, certain agricultural practices and by the
decomposition of organic waste in municipal solid waste landfills. Methane is removed from
atmosphere by methane consuming bacterias residing in the soil. It is also removed as a result of
chemical reactions in the atmosphere and converted to other products.

Nitrous oxide (N2O): Nitrous oxide is emitted during agricultural and industrial activities, combustion
of fossil fuels and solid waste, as well as during treatment of wastewater. Nitrous oxide is removed
from the atmosphere by plants and converted into other forms such as ammonia.

Ozone (O3): Bad Ozone is a result of air pollution from automobile exhaust, industrial emissions and
from power plants. Ozone in the atmosphere can only be destroyed by low energy rays from Sun.

Fluorinated gases: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are powerful

greenhouse gases that are emitted from a variety of industrial processes. Typically, fluorinated gases
are emitted in smaller quantities by human activities but pose severe impact in atmosphere. These
gases cannot be easily broken down to other form and don't disappear for many decades. They can
remain in the atmosphere for up to 400 years.

Due to increase in greenhouse gases in atmosphere by human activity, there is a drastic climate
change. It also affects human beings by contributing to respiratory disease from smog and air
pollution.

Climate change results in global warming, melting glaciers, rising seas, heavier rainstorms and more
frequent droughts, food supply disruptions and increased wildfires. The changes in climatic conditions
will make some plant and animal species to disappear from Earth.
The following are few steps that can be taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions:

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Avoid or stop using goods that generate waste. Try to use local products with
minimal packaging. Re-use containers, packaging or waste products. Try to recycle waste material into
useable products.

Use Less Heat and Air Conditioning: Try to reduce amount of energy used in home for heating and
cooling. Add good insulation to your walls so that home can be kept warm naturally. Turn down the
heat while you’re sleeping at night or away during the day. Keep temperatures moderate at all times.

Use Energy Efficient Products at Home: Try to use home appliances that require less energy for
operation. Try to use natural lighting instead of using regular light bulbs. If possible switch to compact
florescent light (CFL) bulbs which reduces energy consumption and also saves money.

Drive Less and Drive Smart: Less driving means fewer emissions. Besides saving gasoline, walking and
biking are great forms of exercise.

Plant a Tree: If you have the means to plant a tree, start digging. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and give
off oxygen. A single tree will absorb approximately one ton of carbon dioxide during its lifetime.

Encourage Others to Conserve: Share information about recycling and energy conservation with your
friends and neighbours. Encourage public officials to establish programs and policies that are good for
the environment.