Description: Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are gaseous compounds found in the atmosphere that have the ability to absorb and emit infrared radiation. This phenomenon is essential for maintaining the Earth’s temperature, as it allows the planet to retain heat from the sun, creating a greenhouse-like effect. However, the increase in the concentration of these gases, primarily due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and intensive agriculture, has led to a rise in global temperatures, known as global warming. The main greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and industrial gases such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The relevance of GHGs lies in their direct impact on climate change, which in turn affects ecosystems, biodiversity, and human health. Understanding these gases is crucial for developing sustainability strategies and climate change mitigation, as controlling and reducing them is essential to limit global warming and its adverse effects on the planet.
History: The concept of greenhouse gases dates back to the 19th century when Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius, in 1896, was one of the first to propose that increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere could raise the Earth’s temperature. Throughout the 20th century, numerous studies confirmed this theory, and in the 1970s, interest in climate change began to grow, driven by concerns about pollution and fossil fuel use. In 1992, the Earth Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro, where the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was signed, marking a milestone in international cooperation to address the issue of greenhouse gases. Since then, multiple conferences and agreements have taken place, such as the Kyoto Protocol in 1997 and the Paris Agreement in 2015, aimed at reducing GHG emissions globally.
Uses: Greenhouse gases have various applications in industry and technology. For example, carbon dioxide is used in the production of carbonated beverages and in agriculture to enhance plant growth in greenhouses. Methane, although a potent greenhouse gas, is also used as an energy source for electricity generation and heating. Additionally, industrial gases such as hydrofluorocarbons are employed in refrigeration and air conditioning systems. However, it is crucial to manage their use sustainably to mitigate their impact on climate change.
Examples: An example of the use of greenhouse gases is carbon dioxide in the beverage industry, where it is used to carbonate soft drinks. In the agricultural sector, methane can be captured from landfills and used as biogas to generate electricity. In the refrigeration field, hydrofluorocarbons are commonly used in air conditioning systems, although their use is being regulated due to their global warming potential.
