Topic > Greenhouse Gases Essay - 690

Greenhouse gases play a vital role in regulating the Earth's energy balance. Greenhouse gases are a group of naturally occurring compounds such as carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone that are capable of trapping heat in the atmosphere, keeping the Earth's surface warmer than it would be if the compounds were not present . Natural gases are the main cause of the greenhouse effect. An increase in the amount of gases in the atmosphere increases the greenhouse effect, creating global warming and consequently climate change. Climate change is one of the most significant threats facing the world today. However, concern and awareness regarding greenhouse gases was not vital until global warming and climate change occurred which affected every living thing in the plant along with our planet itself. Author William Nordhaus of Yale University led a consensus on the likelihood of substantial warming in the next century. Since 1997, after the first Kyoto agreement, nations have taken very limited measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. There are many reasons why greenhouse gases have increased, such as rainforest deforestation, which is vital as trees absorb carbon dioxide. With fewer trees, more carbon dioxide accumulates in the atmosphere. Using and burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases as they burn and emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere or even population growth which contributes to the high supply and demand for food, livestock, land, energy and water. However, it is up to leading nations to change their ecological footprint to eliminate the growing effect of greenhouse gases. Author William Nordhaus of Yale University led a study examining alternative outcomes for emissions, climate...... half of paper ......w 2 degrees Celsius may not be enough and potentially point to remain below 1.5 degrees. However, G8 leaders said that to reach the 2-degree target they would have to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. The Copenhagen agreement allows nations around the world to contribute to the goal of have a cleaner, safer and fresher environment and planet. The Copenhagen Accord also requires all parties such as the US, UN, China, India, South Africa, Brazil and other countries to submit their individual emission reduction targets. These documents will be classified according to the two appendices attached to the Agreement: the Annex I parts and the non-Annex I parts. The Annex I parts will require the submission of the emission reduction target for 2020. While Non-Annex I Parties will submit their individual plans to specify their plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.