What is the greenhouse gas emission?
Greenhouse gas emissions are a natural part of Earth’s climate system, playing a crucial role in warming the planet. When sunlight reaches Earth’s atmosphere, some energy is reflected back into space, while the rest is absorbed and re-radiated by greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O). This process helps maintain a stable temperature, making life on Earth possible.
However, human activities—such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial agriculture—are significantly increasing greenhouse gas concentrations. This intensified greenhouse effect leads to global warming and climate change, causing rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and ecosystem disruptions.
The Impact of Food Waste on Greenhouse Gas Emissions
When food waste decomposes in landfills, it releases not only carbon dioxide (CO₂) but also methane (CH₄)—a greenhouse gas that is over 25 times more potent than CO₂ in trapping heat. In Australia alone, the greenhouse gases produced by food waste in landfills each year are equivalent to the total emissions from the country’s steel and iron ore industries combined.
Reducing food waste is a crucial step toward lowering CO₂ emissions, conserving resources, and saving money. By adopting better waste management practices—such as composting, responsible consumption, and improved food distribution—we can significantly cut down emissions and contribute to a more sustainable future.
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