Friday, July 22, 2011
That's Potent!
12:20 PM | 
Posted by
John Tennock
When I talk to people about climate change it sometimes becomes obvious that they find it incomprehensible that human activity could make any significant difference to our climate. They are simply unaware of the potency of the greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. Here are some simple scientific facts that made the light come on for me.
If it wasn't for the greenhouse gases in our atmosphere the average surface temperature of planet earth would be a permanent, very cold, MINUS 17 degrees instead of the comfortable PLUS 15 degrees we currently enjoy.
Greenhouse gases, mostly water vapour, comprise only about 1% of our atmosphere. That means that just 1% of our atmosphere makes a difference of 32 degrees. The other 99% makes no contribution at all.
Carbon Dioxide comprises only 0.038% of our atmosphere, (that's the '380 parts per million' we keep hearing about). But CO2 contributes between 9% and 26% of the greenhouse effect that keeps us comfortable. That's potent!
Methane is even more potent with an almost unmeasurably small trace contributing between 4% and 9% of the greenhouse effect.
Quick Summary
Proportions Atmospeheric Gases
Contribution to Greenhouse Effect
If it wasn't for the greenhouse gases in our atmosphere the average surface temperature of planet earth would be a permanent, very cold, MINUS 17 degrees instead of the comfortable PLUS 15 degrees we currently enjoy.
Greenhouse gases, mostly water vapour, comprise only about 1% of our atmosphere. That means that just 1% of our atmosphere makes a difference of 32 degrees. The other 99% makes no contribution at all.
Carbon Dioxide comprises only 0.038% of our atmosphere, (that's the '380 parts per million' we keep hearing about). But CO2 contributes between 9% and 26% of the greenhouse effect that keeps us comfortable. That's potent!
Methane is even more potent with an almost unmeasurably small trace contributing between 4% and 9% of the greenhouse effect.
Quick Summary
Proportions Atmospeheric Gases
Nitrogen 78.08%
Oxygen 20.95%
Argon 0.93%
Carbon Dioxide 0.038%
Water vapour approx 1% (variable)
methane trace
nitrous oxide trace
ozone trace
CFCs trace
Contribution to Greenhouse Effect
Water Vapor 36–70%
Carbon Dioxide 9–26%
Methane 4–9%
Ozone 3–7%
Nitrogen 0%
Oxygen 0%
Argon 0%
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