The global warming is due to increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere due to (among other things) increased burning of fossil fuels and the depletion of the plant life (rainforests and phytoplankton) that convert that carbon dioxide back into free oxygen and plant material.
So what do CFC gasses have to do with global warming?
CFCs absorb infra-red radiation in different bands than CO2. The atmosphere is more nearly opaque in the bands absorbed by CO2 than it is in the bands absorbed by CFCs. That means you need lots more CO2 to produce the same net additional energy retention as you can with a smaller increase in CFCs. In other words, a little CFC goes a long way. Of course, as more CFCs are added to the atmosphere, such differences will lessen.
Many CFCs, in addition to destroying ozone, are also greenhouse gasses. It’s called the old double whammy.
Popularity: 37% [?]
