14 DAY TRIAL // Scientists reveal that the climate change phenomenon can be accelerated by our own refrigerators, air conditioners and other items around our households. All these indispensable products rely on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), organic compounds that contain only one or a few fluorine atoms contributing a great deal to environmental degradation, according to the experts from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
UNEP launches a report highlighting the seriousness of the current situation, stating that if the present context is maintained, the atmosphere would be significantly affected by 9 billion tons of carbon dioxide, until 2050, reports Yale Environment 360.
This number is considerable, since it represents approximately one-third of the total amount of CO2 emissions that is decreasing the air quality at this point in time.
Hydrofluorocarbons were launched on the market in the 1990s, as a better alternative to ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). HFCs are used as refrigerants in place of the older chlorofluorocarbons such as Freon-12, taking into consideration that they do not harm the ozone layer as long as they do not contain chlorine or bromine.
Even so, the chemical is still known as one of the most potent and harmful greenhouse gases, far more damaging than CO2. Experts state that the potential of HFC is presently underestimated, since only a small segment of the population is aware of the impact their household items have upon the environment.
Moreover, scientists warn that HFC is up to 1,600 times stronger than carbon dioxide, doing a much better job in trapping heat in the atmosphere.
In only 10 years, due to a population growth and the rise of the developing countries, HFC has significantly expanded its negative influence upon the environment. The UNEP report shows that the annual consumption of HFCs has doubled over the last decade, reaching an alarming 400,000 tons. Furthermore, in only 4 years, from 2006 to 2010, hydrofluorocarbon usage has grown by up to 10% annually.
It appears to be difficult to draw pertinent solution to this global issue, since refrigerators and air conditioners have literally become members of our families, over the past few decades. Scientists will have to scale up their efforts to find and help implement more appropriate replacements, or the atmosphere will have to suffer dramatic consequences.
“Without intervention, the increase in HFC emissions is projected to offset much of the climate benefit achieved by the earlier reduction in [ozone-depleting substances],” state the leading authors of the UNEP report.