Climate Change Central

 

Scientists know with virtual certainty that the atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) have significantly increased since the beginning of the industrial revolution. This is mainly due to human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, land use change and agriculture.  

Our use of fossil fuels to generate electricity and drive our cars has accelerated CO₂ emissions into the atmosphere. In turn, agricultural activities and land use practices increases the release of methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O).  Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) are also emitted into the atmosphere from the use of refrigeration and chemical processes.

The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has stated that it is very likely that the increase in manmade GHG emissions is having an impact on our global climate. As of 2007, these scientists have reported, with virtual certainty, an “unequivocal” global warming trend of about 1.0 to 1.7°F occurred from 1906 to 2005 (IPCC 4th Assessment, 2007).

The IPCC’s 4th assessment report states that carbon dioxide is one of the most significant anthropogenic (human derived) greenhouse gas in terms of volume generated.  Its concentration in the atmosphere (379 ppm in 2005) exceeds by far  the natural range (180 to 300 ppm) over the last 650,000 years and continues to grow. Since 1750, concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide have increased markedly in the atmosphere as a result of human activities and now far exceed their pre-industrial values determined from ice cores spanning many thousands of years.  (IPCC 4th Assessment, 2007).

Read Ohio EPA’s comments on: The Advance Notice of Proposed Rule-making regulating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under the Clean Air Act. Proposed Mandatory GHG Reporting Rule Proposed Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for GHG emissions.

Ohio EPA’s mission to lead in environmental stewardship is met by educating the public on how our daily decisions can contribute to the release of greenhouse gases which directly impacts climate change. We are doing this by providing information about things you can do to reduce your GHG footprint and by encouraging industry to voluntarily register their GHG emissions through The Climate Registry.

We hope these Web pages help inform you about climate change issues. Consider this main page as the central location where you can get updates on Ohio’s efforts toward identifying and addressing our role in protecting our environment and public health from the increase of anthropogenic greenhouse gases in Ohio.

If you have questions or suggestions about Ohio EPA’s efforts related to addressing climate change, contact Robyn Kenney or Carolina Prado in the Division of Air Pollution Control. For questions or comments about these Web pages, please contact our Webmaster.

Quick Links Climate Change Basics Addressing Climate Change - Ohio’s Role Regional, National and International Information Publications and Resources What You Can Do Renewable Energy in Ohio Carbon Sequestration Climate Change Central

 

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The Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect is the rise in temperature that the Earth experiences because certain gases in the atmosphere (water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane, for example) trap energy from the sun. Without these gases, heat would escape back into space and Earth’s average temperature would be about 60ºF colder. Because of how they warm our world, these gases are referred to as greenhouse gases.

Source: U.S. EPA

Some greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide occur naturally and are emitted to the atmosphere through natural processes and human activities. Other greenhouse gases (for example, fluorinated gases) are created and emitted solely through human activities. The principal greenhouse gases that enter the atmosphere because of human activities are carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O) and fluorinated gases such as hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride.

Note: This Web site uses the IPCC 4th Assessment - Summary for Policymakers as a reference. The following terms are used to indicate the assessed likelihood, using expert judgment, of an outcome or a result:

• virtually certain > 99 percent probability of occurrence;
• extremely likely > 95 percent probability of occurrence;
• very likely > 90 percent probability of occurrence.

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