Short Wave Keeping Score On Climate: How We Measure Greenhouse Gases
Jul 20, 2022
Rebecca Hersher, an NPR science reporter with a focus on climate change, joins host Emily Kwong to dive into the intricacies of measuring greenhouse gas emissions. They explore the challenges of tracking emissions from personal choices like driving and eating to larger sources such as factories and cargo ships. The discussion highlights innovative techniques for accurate measurements, the complexities of individual carbon footprints, and the fairness issues surrounding multinational corporate emissions. It’s a fascinating look at accountability in a warming world.
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Transportation Choices
- Rebecca Hersher mainly uses public transport and sometimes drives.
- Emily Kwong likes to bike but also drives a gas car, causing her to think about her carbon footprint.
Measuring Greenhouse Gases
- Measuring greenhouse gases is crucial for predicting the pace of climate change.
- Various gases contribute to global warming, including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and industrial gases.
Emission Sources
- Measuring emissions involves identifying their sources, such as cars, trucks, power plants, and agriculture.
- These sources can be categorized more broadly into sectors like transportation, energy, and agriculture.