The Air We Breathe: Greenhouse Gases, Auto Emissions, & Climate Change
What gases are considered Greenhouse Gases? And why are they called that?
Let's answer the 2nd question first: Greenhouse gases are those gases that act as a greenhouse to the planet. When we have too much of these gases in our atmosphere, the result is an increase in temperature. Many scientific articles now refer to "climate change" rather than "global warming". Yes, the temperatures are rising overall but this affects local weather patterns differently. For example, there may be extreme snowfalls in some parts of the country-- or the highest temperatures on record in other parts.
Greenhouse gases are made up of 6 air pollutants.
| Carbon Dioxide (CO 2) | Nitrous Oxide (N2O) | |
| Methane (CH 4) | Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) | |
| Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) | Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF 6) |
Greenhouse Gases
The Most Detailed Map of Auto Emissions in America is a must see! View auto emissions and increase in driving by metropolitan areas.
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The Most Detailed Map of Auto Emissions in America (NY Times)The maps are designed to show a year’s worth of CO2 from passenger and freight traffic on every road in key metropolitan areas.
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Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (US EPA)The GHGRP requires reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) data and other relevant information from large GHG emission sources, fuel and industrial gas suppliers, and CO2 injection sites in the United States. Approximately 8,000 facilities are required to report their emissions annually, and the reported data are made available to the public in October of each year.
The reports and data resources produced by the GHG Reporting Program include:
| Reports | GHG Reporting Data Sets | |
|---|---|---|
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Inventory of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks, 1990-2017 (PDF) |
Envirofacts GHG search: Find data for a specific facility. This is a very EASY site to use! Search by facility name or do a broad search by geography (zip code, city, county, state), and NAICS Code. |
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| Data highlights | Keys Facts & Figures |
2018 data summary spreadsheets (large zipped file) 2017 data summary spreadsheets (large zipped file) |
| Power Plants | Waste | Facility Level Information on GreenHouse Gases Tool (FLIGHT) Interactive mapping tool that provides data down to the facility level. |
| Petroleum & Natural Gas Systems | Metals | |
| Refineries | Minerals | |
| Chemicals | Pulp & Paper | |
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Climate Change
- Climate Change in Pennsylvania Story Map
Presents a broad overview of the impact of climate change on Pennsylvania, what has happened in the past and predictions for what to expect in the future. - Pennsylvania 2018 Greenhouse Gas Inventory (PDF report)
Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions (US EPA)
These reports use data from the IPCC (see the box on the right) as well as other sources.
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Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions (US EPA)Home page for reporting on international emissions of greenhouse gases.
Greenhouse gases environmental & health effects
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Climate Crisis and Health (New England Journal of Medicine)This series of articles and resources from NEJM is available for free.
International Panel of Climate Change (IPCC)
This United Nations agency is responsible for assessing climate change science. The IPCC reports have examined climate change, desertification, land degradation, sustainable land management, food security, and greenhouse gas fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems. Some of their more current reports are listed below.
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The Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (IPCC)September 2019
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Climate Change & Land (IPCC)August 2019
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Global Warming of 1.5°C (IPCC)October 2018
EnviroFacts GHG Report
This image on the right shows the top part of a report of greenhouse gas data for 2017 for the Clairton Coke (US Steel) facility.
Location information is provided (physical address as well as latitude and longitude), NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) Code is given (many of the enviro systems let you look up by that code), and additional company information.
The total amount of GHG's are given with additional details lower down on the page.