What causes global warming?
Where does greenhouse gas pollution come from?
Greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere in many ways, including through the burning of fossil fuels (such as coal and petroleum) and by deforestation. As some environments warm, they also release carbon that may have been stored for thousands of years.
Burning fossil fuels
Most of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the burning of fossil fuels for energy (e.g. for electricity and transport). When oil, gas or coal burns, carbon contained within it combines with oxygen in the air to create carbon dioxide.
Australia’s electricity-related emissions are high because we rely primarily (77%)1 on coal for electricity generation and coal is the most greenhouse-intensive fuel.
Deforestation: burning and removing vegetation
All plants take in carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen, which is why they are sometimes referred to as carbon “sinks”. This process is called photosynthesis.
When land is cleared and trees or vegetation removed or burnt, the stored carbon is converted back into carbon dioxide.
Farming
Animals, particularly sheep and cattle, produce large amounts of methane. Some fertilisers also release nitrous oxide, which is another greenhouse gas.
Waste breakdown
Carbon dioxide and methane are released during the decay of food, vegetation and paper dumped in landfills. The same thing occurs when sewage wastes break down.
Industry
Many industrial processes, such as cement production, liquid natural gas production and coal mining, produce or emit a variety of greenhouse gases.
http://www.wwf.org.au/our_work/people_and_the_environment/global_warming_and_climate_change/science/global_warming_causes/ (244 words)