In order to understand the effects of all the gases together, scientists
tend to talk about all greenhouse gases in terms of the equivalent
amount of CO2. Since 1990, yearly emissions have gone up by about 6
billion metric tons of "carbon dioxide equivalent" worldwide, more than a
20 percent increase.
A molecule of methane produces more than 25 times the warming of a molecule of CO2.
Nitrous oxide is 300 times more powerful than CO2.
Below is an explanation from Yale University and their frustration with the manipulation surrounding sound science that paints a grim picture for our planet.
...Carbon dioxide equivalence (click here) is a simple way to normalize all these greenhouse gases and other climate influences in standard units based on the radiative forcing of a unit of carbon dioxide over a specified timeframe (generally set at 100 years).
For example, one ton of methane would be equal to 25 tons of CO2-eq, because it has a global warming potential 25 times that of CO2....
There are other estimates that are higher:
Methane is up to 105 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas on a 20-year timescale. (click here)
Losses of up to 9% show need for broader data on US gas industry’s environmental impact. (click here)
Jeff Tollefson
Scientists are once again reporting alarmingly high methane emissions from an oil and gas field, underscoring questions about the environmental benefits of the boom in natural-gas production that is transforming the US energy system.
The researchers, who hold joint appointments with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the University of Colorado in Boulder, first sparked concern in February 2012 with a study suggesting that up to 4% of the methane produced at a field near Denver was escaping into the atmosphere. If methane — a potent greenhouse gas — is leaking from fields across the country at similar rates, it could be offsetting much of the climate benefit of the ongoing shift from coal- to gas-fired plants for electricity generation....
A molecule of methane produces more than 25 times the warming of a molecule of CO2.
Nitrous oxide is 300 times more powerful than CO2.
Below is an explanation from Yale University and their frustration with the manipulation surrounding sound science that paints a grim picture for our planet.
...Carbon dioxide equivalence (click here) is a simple way to normalize all these greenhouse gases and other climate influences in standard units based on the radiative forcing of a unit of carbon dioxide over a specified timeframe (generally set at 100 years).
For example, one ton of methane would be equal to 25 tons of CO2-eq, because it has a global warming potential 25 times that of CO2....
There are other estimates that are higher:
Methane is up to 105 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas on a 20-year timescale. (click here)
Losses of up to 9% show need for broader data on US gas industry’s environmental impact. (click here)
Jeff Tollefson
Scientists are once again reporting alarmingly high methane emissions from an oil and gas field, underscoring questions about the environmental benefits of the boom in natural-gas production that is transforming the US energy system.
The researchers, who hold joint appointments with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the University of Colorado in Boulder, first sparked concern in February 2012 with a study suggesting that up to 4% of the methane produced at a field near Denver was escaping into the atmosphere. If methane — a potent greenhouse gas — is leaking from fields across the country at similar rates, it could be offsetting much of the climate benefit of the ongoing shift from coal- to gas-fired plants for electricity generation....
