The Chemistry and Physics of Global Warming

How the Burning of Hydro-Carbon Fossil Fuels Traps Heat in the Atmosphere

When a hydro-carbon fuel (oil, gas, coal) undergoes chemical combustion (burning) each carbon atom in the fuel bonds with two oxygen atoms from the air to form a carbon dioxide molecule (CO2). Water (H2O) in the vapor state is the other product of combustion. This chemical reaction cannot be altered or prevented. Burning fuels always produces CO2!

Fossil Fuels are burned all over the world to power transportation vehicles, to heat homes and buildings, to cook foods, to heat water for washing, to power machines and manufacturing systems, and to make electricity in power plants. The worldwide combustion of fossil fuels now produces over 30 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually! About 50% of this CO2 enters our upper atmosphere, the other 50% is absorbed by the oceans or enters the biosphere, chiefly through photosynthesis.

Our atmosphere is made up of 78% nitrogen (N2) molecules and 21% oxygen (O2) molecules along with small amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor (H2O), and trace amounts of some elemental gases. Carbon dioxide does occur naturally in our atmosphere but humans are adding significantly to the total by burning fossil fuels (30+ bty).

The nitrogen and oxygen molecules in our atmosphere allow sunlight to pass through during the day and, very importantly, they also allow long wave, infrared light to be radiated back into outer space at night which is the process by which Earth cools itself. Unlike N2 and O2 molecules, CO2 molecules are the right size and shape to absorb the long wave, infrared light that is radiated by Earth's surfaces at night. The absorption of IR radiation converts this light energy into heat, resulting in a warming of the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is often referred to as a "greenhouse gas" because of its ability to change light into heat.

The only way to achieve a "carbon free" planet is by powering and heating all of our technological machines and systems using energy technologies that do not burn fossil fuels.

Generating electricity by burning fossil fuels must be replaced with nuclear, hydro, solar, and wind power plants. Combustion engines must be replaced with electric motors or hydrogen fueled engines. Cooking and heating with gas or oil must be replaced with electrical systems.