Greenhouse Gases
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Climate Change in San Antonio - Greenhouse Gases
The Greenhouse Effect
Greenhouse gases (GHG) are essential to life on Earth as they provide a “blanket” in our atmosphere that traps heat and regulates the Earth’s temperature. GHGs are released naturally in our environment for this very reason. However, when we burn fossil fuels to power our homes, businesses, and automobiles and place material in our landfill to decompose, we increase the level of greenhouse gases. This increase in gases has essentially created a much thicker “blanket”, making it harder for heat to release, reducing in higher global temperatures that have led to disruptions in the Earth’s climate.
Climate Change in San Antonio - Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse Gases
Some GHGs like carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N20) are naturally occurring, but are enhanced from human activity, such as driving our cars; lighting, heating, and cooling our homes and businesses; and sending waste to the landfill. Other GHGs like hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulfur hexafluoride are man-made.
For more information about GHGs from MIT, visit the following:
The Greenhouse Effect and Us
Climate Change in San Antonio - Greenhouse Gases
How Climate Change Impacts San Antonio
In the past few years, San Antonio has experienced and witnessed extreme events in our region. Because of our changing climate, we can expect this to be more common in our future. Events like these are an indication of this change:
- Hurricane Harvey
- the most expensive hail storm in Texas history (totaling nearly $1.4 billion in losses)
- going from drought to excessive flooding
We are building solutions to prepare our city for climate change. Along with its partners and members of the community, the City of San Antonio has developed a Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, SA Climate Ready. Visit our website to learn what we are doing and get involved!
Climate Change in San Antonio - Greenhouse Gases
Feeling the Heat in San Antonio
San Antonio already feels the impacts of climate change, especially during the summer heat. Climate projections show that our future will be hotter and dryer. By 2040, summer maximum temperatures will be 4°F higher on average than they are today—and annually, we will experience 24 more days over 100°F (that is an additional month of high heat) and receive 3” less rain.
Climate Change in San Antonio - Greenhouse Gases
Compounding Effects
By 2040, San Antonians can expect to experience more frequent and longer droughts, less time outdoors due to hotter days and more severe weather and storms. All of these changes will also cause our community to spend more money on cooling our homes and businesses.