 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Climate Change refers to any significant change in measures of climate (such as temperature, precipitation, or wind) lasting for an extended period decades or longer). Rare weather events are not an indication for or against climate change until those strange events become frequent. Climate change can result from natural processes and human activities that can change the composition of the atmosphere. Greenhouse Gases contribute to climate change, and are both naturally and anthropogenically (derived from human activity) formed and released into the atmosphere. Below is a list of greenhouse gases and some of their sources.
- Carbon dioxide (CO2): occurs naturally and also emitted into the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) and other chemical reactions.
- Methane: (CH4): occurs naturally and emitted during the production and transport of fossil fuels and decay of organic waste.
- Nitrous Oxide (N2O): emitted during agricultural and industrial activities, as well as during the combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste.
- Fluorinated Gases: emitted from a variety of industrial processes and are sometimes used as substitutes for ozone-depleting substances. Typically emitted is smaller quantities than the gases above.
Although already known as an environmental leader among cities, the City of Dallas is taking an active role in further creating a more sustainable city through the reduction of greenhouse gases emitted from its City operations. In 2006, the Mayor of Dallas signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Change Agreement which is a commitment by the mayors around the country to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their own cities and communities to 7% below 1990 levels by the year 2012. Read our latest Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Report.
