Since the Industrial Revolution, people have been increasingly emitting polluting gases – commonly known as ‘greenhouse gases’. This accumulation of gasses has played a significant role in recent changes to our climate and has given rise to the term ‘global warming’. So, does breathing in and out contribute to this global warming phenomenon?
It is true that human respiration involves the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the lungs; however the amounts are relatively small when compared to those from human activities like enterprise, driving, and burning fossil fuels. Carbon dioxide is the main green house gas that we need to pay attention to, and emissions from breathing are estimated to be only about 0.0001% of the greenhouse gas emissions from human activities. This is why it would be inaccurate to say that breathing significantly contributes to global warming.
Furthermore, it is important to differentiate between the naturally occurring CO2 emitted through respiration, and the CO2 that is created through the burning of fossil fuels. Although the CO2 molecules themselves are essentially the same, burning fossil fuels releases carbon which would otherwise have been stored, creating a net increase of CO2 in the atmosphere.
It is important to recognize that respiration is simply a part of nature. Not only do humans produce CO2 through respiration, but other animals also emit the same gas in substantial quantities. According to the Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center, the respiration of land-based animals, such as cattle, contributes around 4.4 gigatons of CO2 to the atmosphere each year.
However, there is a way in which the emissions from human respiration can contribute to the warming of the atmosphere. This is through the concept of carbon offset. Put simply, carbon offsetting refers to the process of reducing emissions generated in one area in order to offset emissions created in another area. For example, if a person drives a car that produces a lot of emissions, they can offset these emissions by planting trees or investing in renewable energy projects in other areas. By doing this, they are helping to reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and the long-term effects of global warming.
In conclusion, it is evident that human respiration does indeed produce small amounts of carbon dioxide, though its contribution to global warming is insignificant when compared to the massive amounts of CO2 released by human activities. Nonetheless, as part of a sustainable approach to reducing the overall impact of global warming, it is important to consider the implications of carbon offsetting, and how we can use this tool to ensure we are effectively counteracting the damaging effects of the burning of fossil fuels.
