During the discussion of greenhouse gas emissions, the gas most often discussed is carbon dioxide. While scientists pinpoint carbon dioxide as the main contributor to global warming, there are gases which are much more potent in our atmosphere. These potent gases, however, are said to only be approximately one percent of global warming.
However, scientists are now debating whether or not these conclusions are accurate. The data suggesting one percent was collected by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Researchers in the United States, including Ray Weiss from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in California, have determined that this figure is substantially low.
According to the researchers, the data being used to determine the contribution to global warming is inaccurate. In many cases, the level of various potent gases are five times greater than reported by some companies and even countries. Weiss stated: “When we compare what’s reported with what we see in the atmosphere, it’s easy to see discrepancies.”
Some of the gases in question are hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs), carbon tetra fluoride (CF4) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). CF4 exists in the atmosphere for at least 50,000 years, making the impact extremely long-lasting. CF4 is created by the manufacturing of aluminum and electronics.
SF6 is also used in the electrical industry. SF6 actually has a 23,000 times greater impact on global warming than does carbon dioxide. However, it is at much lower levels than carbon dioxide. Although according to Weiss and other researchers, the true impact on global warming today by these gases is thus far unknown.
The complete research was presented at the UN climate convention currently occurring in Copenhagen.
