Whats your GWP?

A study at the University of San Diego was conducted to determine the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of various greenhouse gases. The Global Warming Potential of a gas is the potential it has to trap heat in the atmosphere and thus add to the heating of the environment. 

It was found that a Freon mixture of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) emitted from sources such as electronic cleaners had the highest GWP of gases measured. In general, the greenhouse gases with the highest GWPs measured were from CFCs, methane, HFC-134a, and CCl₄; most of these come from anthropogenic sources such as burning of fossil fuels, dry cleaning solvents, or refrigerants. 

Though many of these gases are being used less in the developed world, many developing nations still use them today. It is important to study the GWP of gases in order for people to understand their own effects on the environment. By learning what gases are bad for the environment, people can work towards reducing their own greenhouse gas emissions in order to prevent future climate change.