The atmosphere of Earth is a layer of gasses retained by gravity that surrounds our planet. Most of the total mass of the atmosphere is in the lower 6 miles.

By volume, the Earth’s atmosphere is about 78.08% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, and 0.93% argon. A brew of trace gasses accounts for the remaining 0.04%, including the greenhouse gasses carbon dioxide and methane.

Carbon dioxide and methane are greenhouse gasses because they act like glass on a greenhouse, letting energy in from the sun but also blocking heat from escaping back into space.

Throughout Earth’s history, the amounts of these gasses have varied. As greenhouse gasses increased, the Earth’s average temperature increased. As greenhouse gasses decreased, the Earth’s temperature decreased.

Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, when humanity started burning carbon dioxide polluting coal, oil and gas, the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere has risen rapidly.

In the last century, carbon dioxide has increased 40%. We are now at the same level of carbon dioxide as 4 million years ago, when the average temperature was 5 to 7 degrees warmer.

Behind carbon dioxide, methane is the second most prevalent greenhouse gas and is responsible for a quarter of current overheating. It is emitted during the production and transport of coal, oil, and ‘natural’ gas, which is 80% methane. Methane emissions also result from livestock, agricultural practices, land use, and by the decay of organic waste in landfills. The concentration of Methane in our atmosphere has increased 250 % over pre-industrial levels.

Overall, fossil fuels are responsible for more than 75% of the world’s greenhouse emissions according to the International Panel on Climate Change. Research has shown that reducing methane pollution from the oil and gas industry is the fastest, most cost-effective way to slow warming.

So far, Earth’s average temperature has risen only 2 degrees since 1880. This is primarily due to our expansive oceans acting like a giant heat sink and absorbing much of the excess heat. From this increase we have seen melting ice caps, severe droughts, an increase in storms and wildfires, and record-breaking temperatures worldwide.

As the country that led the industrial revolution on the back of burning carbon dioxide polluting fossil fuels, we have a moral obligation to lead the world in a rapid transition to clean energy sources and significantly reduce methane emissions. We have the technology and the ability to do this. The question is: do we have the will?

To learn more about how our world is warming; causes, consequences and actions that need to be taken to stop it, visit NASA’s website on climate. https://climate.nasa.gov

Ron Sadler is a Dunkirk resident.