The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a specialized agency of the United Nations devoted to studying the state and behavior of Earth's atmosphere, its interaction with the oceans, the climate it produces and the resulting distribution of water resources, reported that the main greenhouse gases that cause global warming concentration set new records in 2010. According to the secretary general of the Organization, Michel Jarraud, the burden of the atmosphere of greenhouse gases due to human activity has reached record levels again from the preindustrial era, in the eighteenth century. He also assured that, even if they managed to stop emissions of greenhouse gases today, would remain in the atmosphere in coming decades and continue to affect the delicate balance of our planet and climate.

   According to the report, carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most important greenhouse gas from human source, accounting for 64% of global warming. It is originated in particular due to the burning of fossil fuels, like oil. Methane is the second, and is caused by different factors such as manure or waste, among others. While nitrous oxide (N20) has also contributed to global warming. In 2010, the N20 content in the atmosphere was higher by 20% compared to 1750, regarded as the beginning of the industrial age. Its impact on the climate, in a period of 100 years, is 298 times superior than carbon dioxide in the same emissions.

   This report on greenhouse gases is the seventh published by WMO since 2004. It was reported a week before the UN conference on climate, to be held in Durban, South Africa. From November 28 to December 9, participants in this conference will attempt, under the authority of the UN, to limit global warming to 2°C. This conference is considered as a last chance to find a way forward in the fight against climate change since the Kyoto Protocol, which includes commitments to reduce carbon emissions, expires at the end of 2012.

   As confirmed by the report of the World Meteorological Organization, the main contributor to emissions of carbon dioxide, whose emissions are the greatest culprits of global warming caused by the man, is the transportation powered by fossil fuels like oil. Hence, many governments, automotive, environmental organizations and multilateral institutions to propose the replacement of these traditional fuels with more environmentally friendly. Among the choices, for various reasons, are electric vehicles, biofuels, ethanol, hydrogen and natural gas.

   However, few of these options have immediate, affordable and effective potential to replace oil as vehicle fuel. Only natural gas meets the requirements to fulfill this task. More abundant reserves and better distributed geographically, its lower price, its lower emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, and the availability of multiple proven technologies for the use of natural gas as automotive fuel, make it the ultimate solution to this scourge that affects our planet.

By GNV Magazine.com

November 30, 2011