Human Causes of Climate Change

• Burning fossil fuels (coal/oil/gas) releases CO2 into the atmosphere, trapping heat. Coal powers factories and heats homes.
• Deforestation (amazon) has resulted in less C02 being absorbed and the burning of trees release more CO2
• Peatland reclemation during the construction of wind farms in Scotland releases CO2 when it's dug.
• Methane is released from landfills when waste decomposes
• Methane is 20x more effective at trapping heat than CO2
• Methane from landfills counts towards 12% of the worlds total methane emissions
• Increase in padi fields to feed large populations releases methane as rice grows
• Increased demand for beef creates a greater need for cattle which release methane gas during digestion
• Increased car ownership means more petrol/diesel is used for fuel. Cars release nitrous oxide.
• Nitrous oxide is 200-300 times more effective at trapping heat than C02
• Rising food demand requires increased use of fertilisers which releases nitrous oxide onto crops
• Fridges which are not disposed of correctly releases CFC's when insulation is shredded, destroying the ozone