Debunking Misconceptions about Greenhouse Gases and the Climate Crisis

In the era of information overload, it has become increasingly challenging to navigate through the vast array of conflicting claims surrounding essential issues like climate change. While public awareness about the pressing need to address climate-related concerns has grown, so has the proliferation of misinformation. This fact-check article aims to critically examine a specific claim regarding the role of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s climate system.

Claim: “Almost all of the greenhouse effect on earth is due to H2O and CO2, which also form the basis of life. Cultists of the #ClimateScam are terrified of greenhouse gases, imagining them to be toxic.”

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This claim suggests that water vapour (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) account for the overwhelming majority of the greenhouse effect on Earth and implies that those concerned about greenhouse gases exaggerate their impact by falsely characterising them as toxic substances. We will scrutinise this statement to determine its accuracy and address any potential misinformation it may propagate.

Let’s break down the statement and its underlying ideas. “This claim suggests that water vapour (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) account for the overwhelming majority of the greenhouse effect on Earth”: The claim posits that water vapour and carbon dioxide play a significant role in the greenhouse effect. While it is true that these gases are major contributors to the greenhouse effect, they are not the sole factors. Other greenhouse gases, such as methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone, trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere.

First, we need to understand what greenhouse gases are before going deeper. In simple terms, Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere are called greenhouse gases. Since the Industrial Revolution, humans have released more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. That amount has increased dramatically in the past century, with the knock-on effect of global warming. Global temperatures have accelerated in the past 30 years and are now the highest since records began. Human activities are changing Earth’s natural greenhouse effect with a dramatic increase in the release of greenhouse gases. Scientists agree that greenhouse gases cause global warming and climate change.

Green House gases 

Concentration, or abundance, is the amount of a particular gas in the air. More significant emissions of greenhouse gases lead to higher concentrations in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gas concentrations are measured in parts per million, parts per billion, and even parts per trillion. One part per million is equivalent to one drop of water diluted into about 13 gallons of liquid

• Carbon dioxide ( CO₂)

Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas responsible for anthropogenic (human-caused) climate change. It is released primarily by burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. Increased concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere trap more heat, leading to the greenhouse effect and global warming.

• Methane (CH4)

 Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a much higher warming potential than carbon dioxide. It is released during coal, oil, and natural gas production and transport. Other significant sources include livestock farming, rice cultivation, landfills, and the decay of organic waste in anaerobic conditions.

• Nitrous oxide (N2O):

 Nitrous oxide is another potent greenhouse gas with a significantly higher warming potential than carbon dioxide. It is emitted from agricultural and industrial activities and the combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste. Microbial processes in soils and oceans also produce nitrous oxide.

• Fluorinated gases

Hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and nitrogen trifluoride are synthetic, potent greenhouse gases emitted from various household, commercial, and industrial applications and processes. Link. Archived

Also we can mention water vapour as well. H₂O is the most abundant greenhouse gas in the Earth’s atmosphere and plays a significant role in the natural greenhouse effect. Water vapour acts as a feedback mechanism in the climate system. As the Earth warms, the atmosphere can hold more water vapour, which leads to an increase in its concentration. This, in turn, amplifies the greenhouse effect, further trapping heat and contributing to global warming.  However, it’s important to note that water vapour concentrations in the atmosphere are highly variable and influenced by local weather conditions. Unlike carbon dioxide and other long-lived greenhouse gases, water vapour concentrations are regulated by the Earth’s hydrological cycle and have a relatively short atmospheric lifetime. Nonetheless, changes in other greenhouse gases can indirectly impact water vapour concentrations and their feedback effect on the climate system.

The water vapour then absorbs heat radiated from Earth, preventing it from escaping to space. This further warms the atmosphere, resulting in even more water vapour in the atmosphere. This is what scientists call a “positive feedback loop.” Scientists estimate this effect more than doubles the warming due to increasing carbon dioxide alone. 

For more, read. 

Water vapour is the most potent greenhouse gas, contributing to approximately 36-70% of the natural greenhouse effect, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Carbon dioxide is the second most important greenhouse gas, responsible for approximately 9-26% of the natural greenhouse effect. However, it’s important to note that the overall composition and concentration of greenhouse gases determine the magnitude of the greenhouse effect.

While water vapour and CO2 are natural greenhouse gases, human activities have significantly increased the concentration of CO2 and introduced other greenhouse gases, such as methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). These human-emitted greenhouse gases have been identified as the primary drivers of the enhanced greenhouse effect, leading to anthropogenic climate change. 

The anthropogenic greenhouse effect is due to greenhouse gases emitted by humans, which amplify the natural greenhouse effect. This leads to global warming. This noticeable change in the climate has a significant impact on people and nature. According to the sixth report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on the scientific basis of climate change, “it is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land.” Since the fifth report, there has been more evidence of extremes such as heat waves, heavy precipitation, droughts and tropical cyclones, and human influence on these events.

For more info Link. Archived 

The IPCC states that since the pre-industrial era, the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has increased by over 40%, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. Methane and nitrous oxide, while present in smaller quantities than CO2, are even more potent in terms of their heat-trapping abilities.

In conclusion, while water vapour and CO2 are the primary greenhouse gases contributing to the natural greenhouse effect, the claim misrepresents the role of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions and the scientific consensus on climate change. Recognising the difference between natural and enhanced greenhouse effects caused by human activities is essential. The risks associated with climate change are not based on an irrational fear of greenhouse gases but on evidence-based assessments conducted by the scientific community. When discussing greenhouse gases, the focus is primarily on their role in climate change and the potential consequences for ecosystems, societies, and the overall well-being of the planet. While water vapour is not considered harmful, excessive amounts of certain greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and chlorofluorocarbons, can significantly affect the environment and human health, primarily due to their contributions to climate change and ozone depletion, respectively.

If you have any queries or come across suspicious content related to climate change or the environment and want us to verify them for you, then send them to us on our WhatsApp hotline: +917045366366-With inputs from Dinesh Balasri-