In the 1980′s, environmental groups celebrated the ban of ozone-destroying CFC gases. These chlorofluorocarbon gases were used in air-conditioning and refrigeration units before they were found to badly harm the ozone layer and were subsequently banned under the 1987 Montreal protocol.
They were replaced by HFCs – hydrofluorocarbons – which are gases that have far less effect on ozone but have since been revealed as extremely powerful greenhouse gases. This is a slap in the face to the organizations who trumpeted the use of HFC’s.
A study out this week will warn that, by 2050, HFCs could account for up to 19% of global warming. “By 2050, the contribution of HFCs to global warming will be more than that of current global CO2 emissions from houses and office buildings,” said Guus Velders of the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, who did the research.
June 25th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
The news just keeps getting worse and worse.
May 6th, 2011 at 10:16 pm
This is about equal to the contribution caused by exterior lighting – the energy wasted lighting streets, commercial properties not functional at night, floodlit buildings and sports facilities, badly designed security lighting and unnecessary decorative lighting. The elimination of unnecessary lighting is one of the easiest ways of substantially reducing our contribution to global warming and climate change. If applied in conjunction with reducing other causes of global warming, then we should be able to avoid the worst effects of climate change. Of course, some night-time lighting is necessary, but it should only be applied sparingly on a needs must basis, where needed, when needed, in the right amounts and using appropriately designed 45 degree full cut-off technology.