Development of a greenhouse gas emissions index

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Chemical Engineering Progress; (USA)

OSTI ID:6618683

Ellington, R T; Meo, M ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman, OK (US)

Decisions made by Congress, government agencies, and corporations regarding processes and systems utilizing chemical reactions will have significant implications for global climatic change (the greenhouse effect). As industrialization has proliferated, the volume of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere has increased. By 1985, carbon dioxide concentrations increased from preindustrial levels of about 275 parts per million by volume (ppmv) to 345 ppmv, and they are expected to double by 2050. A scientific consensus is developing that continued injection of infrared (IR) radiation absorbing carbon dioxide at current rates will result in a global warming of 1.5--4.5{degrees}C. In addition, emissions of other trace gases that absorb radiation appear to be roughly equivalent to that of carbon dioxide. Less certainty exists with respect to the local climatic changes that may result from increased emissions. Altered temperature and precipitation patterns could be accompanied by more frequent extreme events, such as severe storms, droughts, and floods. This paper discusses the development of a greenhouse gas emissions index to aid in controlling global climatic change.

• OSTI ID: 6618683
• Journal Information: Chemical Engineering Progress; (USA), Journal Name: Chemical Engineering Progress; (USA) Vol. 86:7; ISSN 0009-2495; ISSN CEPRA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AIR POLLUTION ABATEMENT
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
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CLEAN AIR ACT
CLIMATES
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ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FLOODS
GLOBAL ASPECTS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
INFRARED RADIATION
LAWS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION ABATEMENT
POLLUTION LAWS
PROCESS CONTROL
RADIATIONS
REGULATIONS
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