C02

A great deal of focus is given to CO2 emissions and their role in the greenhouse effect, however the public is less aware of other powerful greenhouse gases.  Atmospheric nitrous oxide (N2O) concentrations have been rising since the Industrial Revolution due to anthropogenic activities. It is estimated that N2O accounts for 6% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Due to its atmospheric lifetime of approximately 120 years combined with its heat-trapping effects,  N2O has approximately 310 times more warming power than CO2 on a per molecule basis.

When our plane dipped below the solid cloud layer over Shannon, I had my first glimpse of the Irish landscape and was struck by the intensity and pervasiveness of the green I saw below. That was 17 years ago. This time, in late May 2010 my purpose was to hike the Dingle Peninsula, Inn-to-Inn fashion, and see the landscape up close. I cannot understand why the landscape did not strike me as equally verdant.  Was it that we had 9 days of brilliant sunshine?