Air Pollution in Alachua County

Alachua County enjoys good air quality.

Air Quality Complaint Procedures

What Are Greenhouse Gases?

Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are gases in Earth's atmosphere that trap heat near the surface, acting like a blanket or the glass walls of a greenhouse to keep the planet warm. They allow sunlight to pass through but prevent infrared radiation (heat) from escaping directly back into space—a process known as the greenhouse effect. 

Without these gases, Earth's average temperature would be roughly (-20C / -4F), making it too cold for life as we know it. However, excess emissions from human activity have increased the concentration of these gases, causing global temperatures to rise. 

Major Greenhouse Gases

• Carbon Dioxide (CO2): The primary greenhouse gas emitted through human activity, mainly from burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), deforestation, and cement production.
• Methane (CH4): A very potent gas (roughly 25–30 times more effective at trapping heat than CO2 over 100 years). Key sources include livestock digestion (cows), agriculture, landfills, and leaks from oil/gas production.
• Nitrous Oxide (N2O): A powerful gas released largely by agricultural practices (synthetic fertilizer use), fossil fuel combustion, and industrial processes.
• Fluorinated Gases (F-gases): Synthetic, man-made gases (hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride) used in refrigeration, air conditioning, and industrial applications. While emitted in smaller quantities, they are incredibly potent, trapping thousands of times more heat than CO2.
• Water Vapor (H2O): The most abundant greenhouse gas. Unlike others, its concentration is regulated by temperature (warmer air holds more moisture), acting as a feedback mechanism that amplifies warming.

Key Sources and Impacts

• Human-Caused (Anthropogenic): Since the Industrial Revolution, burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and intense agriculture have significantly raised GHG levels.
• Global Warming Potential (GWP): A measure of how much heat a gas traps compared to CO2.
• Consequences: The enhanced greenhouse effect causes global warming, rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and more extreme weather events.