What are they?

CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide)

There is an observed increase of CO₂ in the atmosphere which is due to two human activities: burning fossil fuels and deforestation. This Greenhouse Gas is the principal gas out of all six as it plays a major part in peoples lives as well as other organisms.

CH₄ (Methane)

Methane is the most significant, man made Greenhouse Gas emission, in New Zealand, farmed livestock is the main contributor to produce methane and accounts for around 90% of it.

N₂O (Nitrous oxide)

Nitrous oxide are produced as a result of agricultural activities, for instance, a fraction of the nitrogen added to pasture is emitted as nitrous oxide via a process in the soil, these emissions are all dependant on climatic factors such as precipitation and temperature.

HFCs (hydro fluorocarbons)

HFCs can be separated into six source categories: aerosol propellants, solvents, foam, mobile air conditioning, refrigeration and fire protection. In all these are all industrial gases yet take place mainly within the home.

PFCs (Perfluorocarbons)

There are two PFCs produced: carbon tetraflouride (CF₄) this accounts for 90% of the emissions and carbon hexaflouride (C₂F₆) accounts for the rest.

SF₆ (Sulphar hexaflouride)

SF₆ Is a non toxic, non-corrosive, non-flammable gas which is chemically very stable and has good electrical insulation properties.

 

 

Carbon dioxide makes up about 77% of the total greenhouse gases with meeting at about 14% nitrous oxide at about 8% and the other three greenhouse gases contributing only about 1% of the total.  The atmosphere has always contained these greenhouse gases and we actually need them to keep our planet at a temperature in which we can all survive.  Without greenhouse gases the planet would be about 30°C cooler than it is today.