‘Moral obligation’ to
curb greenhouse gases
The atmosphere of Earth is a layer of gases retained by gravity that surrounds our planet. The majority of the total mass of our atmosphere is located in the lower six miles. By volume, the Earth’s atmosphere is about 78.08% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, and 0.93% argon.
A brew of trace gases accounts for the remaining 0.04%, including the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and methane. Carbon dioxide and methane are called greenhouse gases because they act like glass on a greenhouse, letting energy in from the sun but also blocking heat from escaping back into space.
Throughout Earth’s history, the amounts of these gases have varied. As greenhouse gases increased, the Earth’s average temperature increased. As greenhouse gases decreased, the Earth’s temperature decreased.
Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas. For the last 800,000 years, the amount of carbon dioxide has ranged from about 180 parts per million (ppm) to 280 ppm. These changes took place over thousands of years. For the last 10,000 years, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has averaged around 270 ppm. The temperatures of the Earth during this period of time facilitated the development of the human race and our world as we know it.
Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, when mankind started burning carbon dioxide polluting coal, oil and gas, the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere has risen very rapidly. By 1911, carbon dioxide had increased to 300 ppm. Today it has reached 420 ppm, an increase of 40% in a little more than 110 years, and a 50% increase over preindustrial levels. We are currently at the same level of carbon dioxide as 4 million years ago, when the average temperatures were 5 to 7 degrees Fahrenheit warmer.
Methane is the second-most prevalent greenhouse gas and is responsible for a quarter of the warming that we are experiencing today. It is emitted during the production and transport of coal, oil and ‘natural’ gas, which is 80% methane. Methane emissions also result from livestock, particularly cattle, agricultural practices, land use and by the decay of organic waste in municipal landfills. The concentration of methane in our atmosphere has increased 250% over preindustrial levels.
Overall, fossil fuels are responsible for more than 75% of the world’s greenhouse emissions, according to the International Panel on Climate Change. Research has shown that reducing methane pollution from the oil and gas industry is the single fastest, most cost-effective way to slow the rate of warming.
So far, Earth’s average temperature has only risen 2 degrees Fahrenheit since 1880. This is primarily due to our oceans, which cover two thirds of the planet, acting like a giant heat sink and absorbing much of the excess heat. From this 2-degree increase we have seen melting ice caps, droughts, increase in severe storms and wildfires, and record-breaking high temperatures around the globe. Imagine what our world will be like with a 5-degree increase.
As the country that led the industrial revolution on the back of burning carbon dioxide-polluting fossil fuels, we have a moral obligation to lead the world in a rapid transition to clean energy sources and significantly reducing methane emissions. We have the technology and the ability to do this.
The question is: Do we have the will?
To learn more about how our world is warming and actions that need to be taken to stop it, visit NASA’s website on climate at climate.nasa.gov
Ron Sadler
Hilo
Paper should stop
calling people ‘elderly’
Stop using ageist language.
You would never use racist or sexist language to describe a person, so why do you use ageist language? Such as an elderly man, 76, who … etc.
You would not say a middle-aged woman, 45, who … etc.
Elderly implies infirm, incapable, etc. I know folks who are over 80 whom are definitely not elderly!
I am a senior, and I’m certainly not elderly!
Sharon Smockhoffmann
Kailua-Kona
