Natural vs Anthropogenic Greenhouse Gases

Chloe Lee

Greenhouse gases include two types: artificial and natural. Artificial greenhouse gas is a man-made greenhouse, which contains higher global warming potential compared to natural greenhouse gases. The examples include carbon dioxide and methane, which are produced by human activities. On the other hand, natural gas is a greenhouse gas released by the decomposition and respiration from plants and ocean which include nitrous oxide and water vapor.

Both of these greenhouse gases are significant contributors to climate issues, increasing the temperature of the earth’s surface. Not only greenhouse gases accelerate the warming of the planet, but also may lead to devastating weather crises. One example is cyclone formation due to warmed water, increased evaporation and atmospheric moisture. This would fuel low-pressure systems, create instability, and intensify cyclone formation.

However, the anthropogenic greenhouse effect refers to the release of greenhouse gas directly caused by human activities, which amplifies the natural greenhouse effect. Anthropogenic greenhouse gas may seem similar to the artificial greenhouse gas, but they differ in few ways. While the artificial greenhouse effect is caused by human activities of building physical structures for specific purposes such as growing plants, anthropogenic greenhouse gases are human caused emissions from burning fossil fuels and activities like deforestation and agriculture. Activities like these increase the level of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, trapping more heat and accelerating climate change.

In conclusion, while natural greenhouse gases are essential for maintaining the Earth’s temperature, excessive usage of anthropogenic and natural greenhouse gases resulting from human activities are intensifying the greenhouse effect and driving climate change. Experts say that addressing anthropogenic emissions through sustainable practices is crucial for mitigating the impacts of climate change and ensuring a stable climate for future generations.

Works Cited

“Natural vs Artificial Greenhouse Gas Emissions: GHG Sources & Impact: Inspire: Inspire Clean Energy.” Inspire, www.inspirecleanenergy.com/blog/clean-energy-101/natural-vs-artificial-greenhouse-gas-emissions. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

“Causes and Effects of Climate Change.” United Nations, United Nations, www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/causes-effects-climate-change#:~:text=As%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%20blanket,the%20usual%20balance%20of%20nature. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

“Causes of Climate Change.” AdaptNSW, www.climatechange.environment.nsw.gov.au/why-adapt/causes-climate-change#:~:text=The%20greenhouse%20effect%20traps%20the,some%20people%20call%20global%20warming. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

Phillips, Jodie. “The Connection between Climate Change and Human Health.” Sustainable Living, 13 Aug. 2024, www.environmentalconsortium.org/the-connection-between-climate-change-and-human-health/.

Kusnetz, Nicholas. “New Report Expects Global Emissions of Carbon Dioxide to Rebound to Pre-Pandemic High This Year.” Inside Climate News, 4 Nov. 2021, insideclimatenews.org/news/03112021/carbon-dioxide-global-emissions/.

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