INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

HLTH628
Name: Tasneem Shawamreh
Student number: 1195203
Homework #5

Greenhouse Gases (GHG)

Greenhouse gases are chemical compounds as water vapor, Carbon dioxide (CO2),
Methane (CH4), Nitrous oxide (N2O) and Fluorinated gases such as chlorofluorocarbons and
halons which are released naturally or by human activity into the atmosphere (Doll, Julie E.
and Barański 2011). (Kweku et al. 2018) in his review indicated that these gases are crucial
for all creature’s survival on earth as it traps the exerted heat by earth and keeps it warm
within its normal range, without this process, the global temperature of the earth would fall
and be much colder, the matter that would make life on earth is impossible. On the other
hand, and due to rapid increase of population growth and energy consumption, the
production rates and concentrations of these gases increased causing harmful
environmental pollution such as air pollution, climate change and global warming(Abu-Madi
and Rayyan 2013). The sources of these gases and emissions varies and came from:
transportation means (28.2% of the total GHG’s) which considered to be the largest source
of GHG’s due to fossil fuel burning, Electricity production (26.9% of the total GHG’s) as
electricity production mainly depends on burning fuel, coal and gases(Kweku et al. 2018),
the different industries, agricultural processes, commercial and residential factors and land
.use such as urbanization(Doll, Julie E. and Barański 2011)

As greenhouse gases traps the infrared radiation and exerted heat by earth in the
atmosphere without allowing it to escape or vanish into the outer space, it causes a
continuous and steady heating of the atmosphere leading to climate change and global
warming (Kweku et al. 2018). The effect of global warming is represented in changes in the
ecosystem, as climate changes, rising sea level and melting ice which causes intensive
floods, tornados and hurricanes. It also contributes in increasing droughts affecting the

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agricultural sector and reducing food security, and increase the distribution of pets, vectors
.and diseases (Shafer 2017)

Source: Golden Gate National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Source: US Environmental Protection Agency

 Conclusion:
The concentration of greenhouse gases (GHG’s) increased rapidly within the last centuries
due to industrial revolution and human activities, thereby, causing harmful environmental
...impacts as increasing the rate of floods, hurricanes and droughts etc
To save the ecosystem, levels of CO2 and other gases should be kept in its normal range by
using energy sources effectively and efficiently. Moreover, international policies, regulations
and environmental initiatives should be done to enforce the use of alternative sources for
energy production as using renewable sources such as windmills, solar panels and water
.currents rather than burning fuels

 References
Abu-Madi, Maher, and Ma’Moun Abu Rayyan. 2013. “Estimation of Main Greenhouse Gases
Emission from Household Energy Consumption in the West Bank, Palestine.”
.Environmental Pollution 179: 250–57
.Doll, Julie E. and Barański, Mariusz. 2011. “Greenhouse Gas Basics.” (April): 6–7
Kweku, Darkwah et al. 2018. “Greenhouse Effect: Greenhouse Gases and Their Impact on
.Global Warming.” Journal of Scientific Research and Reports 17(6): 1–9
Shafer, D. Michael. 2017. “Climate Change Primer: What You Need To Know: A Clear and
Concise Explanation about Climate Change and Global Warming.” Warm heart world
.wide: 43