You may have heard the term “global warming”. Global warming basically means rise in the temperature of the earth and its related effect. You may also hear about the term “climate change”. Climate change refers to any significant change in the measures of climate lasting for an extended period of time. In other words, climate change includes major changes in temperature, precipitation, or wind patterns, among other effects, that occur over several decades or longer.
With the recent strange weather, such as, draught, heavy snow, and extreme rain fall, we might have to agree that the earth’s climate is changing. Earth’s climate is changing in ways that affect our weather, oceans, snow, ice, ecosystems, and society.
Natural causes alone cannot explain all of these changes. Human activities are contributing to climate change, primarily by releasing billions of tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other heat-trapping gases, known as greenhouse gases, into the atmosphere.
What are the greenhouse gases?
Greenhouse gases (sometimes abbreviated GHG) are gases in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. The primary greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere are water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases.
Why are greenhouse gases a problem?
As greenhouse gas emissions from human activities increase, they build up in the atmosphere and warm the climate, leading to many other changes around the world—in the atmosphere, on land, and in the oceans. Because many of the major greenhouse gases stay in the atmosphere for tens to hundreds of years after being released, their warming effects on the climate persist over a long time and can therefore affect both present and future generations.
What can happen if our climate changes?
Climate change affects our environment and natural resources, and impacts our way of life in many ways. For example:
- Warmer temperatures increase heat waves, which can pose health risks, particularly for young children and the elderly.
- Rising sea levels threaten coastal communities and ecosystems.
- Changes in the patterns and amount of rainfall, as well as changes in the timing and amount of stream flow, can affect water supplies and water quality and the production of hydroelectricity.
- Changing ecosystems influence geographic ranges of many plant and animal species and the timing of their lifecycle events, such as migration and reproduction.
- Increases in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as heat waves, droughts, and floods can increase losses to property, cause costly disruptions to society, and reduce the availability and affordability of insurance.
Where do greenhouse gases come from?
What is a Greenhouse Gas Report?
Reporting of greenhouse gases by major sources is required by both federal EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and the California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32, 2006). All GHG emissions data reports must comply with the regulatory requirements and be submitted via the e-GGRT and Cal e-GGRT reporting system. Loma Linda University Health is also required by law to report direct greenhouse gas emission.
At Loma Linda University Health, one of our major greenhouse gas emitter is our Power Plant. In addition to this major emitter, we also have to report entire stationary combustion units, including small Bunsen burners in the labs. The Environmental Health & Safety department prepares these reports on behalf of Loma Linda University Health and annually submits them to the federal EPA and California Air Resource board. In California, it is also required by law that the greenhouse gas reporters must hire a third party to verify this report to ensure the reported data is accurate and conformance with the law. The following is the greenhouse gas reported from LLUH from the years 2008 to 2013.
Environmental Health & Safety is committed to providing excellent service to ensure LLUH remains regulatory complaint.
Reference:
1. NRC (2010). Advancing the Science of Climate Change. National Research Council. The National Academies Press, Washington, DC, USA.
2. http://www.epa.gov/ghgreporting/
3. http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/reporting/ghg-rep/ghg-rep.htm
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This article originally posted in Environmental Health & Safety's Speaking of Safety Blog. Environmental Health & Safety is a division of Risk Management. Visit the Speaking of Safety Blog here.