Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are to blame for global warming since the 1970s and not carbon dioxide, according to new research from the University of Waterloo published in the International Journal of Modern Physics B this week.
CFCs are already known to deplete ozone, but in-depth statistical analysis now shows that CFCs are also the key driver in global climate change, rather than carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
“Conventional thinking says that the emission of human-made non-CFC gases such as carbon dioxide has mainly contributed to global warming. But we have observed data going back to the Industrial Revolution that convincingly shows that conventional understanding is wrong,” said Qing-Bin Lu, a professor of physics and astronomy, biology and chemistry in Waterloo’s Faculty of Science. “In fact, the data shows that CFCs conspiring with cosmic rays caused both the polar ozone hole and global warming.”
“Most conventional theories expect that global temperatures will continue to increase as CO2 levels continue to rise, as they have done since 1850. What’s striking is that since 2002, global temperatures have actually declined – matching a decline in CFCs in the atmosphere,” Professor Lu said. “My calculations of CFC greenhouse effect show that there was global warming by about 0.6 °C from 1950 to 2002, but the earth has actually cooled since 2002. The cooling trend is set to continue for the next 50-70 years as the amount of CFCs in the atmosphere continues to decline.”
The findings are based on in-depth statistical analyses of observed data from 1850 up to the present time, Professor Lu’s cosmic-ray-driven electron-reaction (CRE) theory of ozone depletion and his previous research into Antarctic ozone depletion and global surface temperatures.
“It was generally accepted for more than two decades that the Earth’s ozone layer was depleted by the sun’s ultraviolet light-induced destruction of CFCs in the atmosphere,” he said. “But in contrast, CRE theory says cosmic rays – energy particles originating in space – play the dominant role in breaking down ozone-depleting molecules and then ozone.”
Lu’s theory has been confirmed by ongoing observations of cosmic ray, CFC, ozone and stratospheric temperature data over several 11-year solar cycles. “CRE is the only theory that provides us with an excellent reproduction of 11-year cyclic variations of both polar ozone loss and stratospheric cooling,” said Professor Lu. “After removing the natural cosmic-ray effect, my new paper shows a pronounced recovery by ~20% of the Antarctic ozone hole, consistent with the decline of CFCs in the polar stratosphere.”
By proving the link between CFCs, ozone depletion and temperature changes in the Antarctic, Professor Lu was able to draw almost perfect correlation between rising global surface temperatures and CFCs in the atmosphere.
“The climate in the Antarctic stratosphere has been completely controlled by CFCs and cosmic rays, with no CO2 impact. The change in global surface temperature after the removal of the solar effect has shown zero correlation with CO2 but a nearly perfect linear correlation with CFCs – a correlation coefficient as high as 0.97.”
The Latest Bing News on:
Chlorofluorocarbons
- 20 Outrageous 1980's Social Norms That Would Never Fly Todayon May 7, 2024 at 11:12 am
The use of aerosol sprays containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) was widespread in the 1980s, with little awareness of their harmful impact on the ozone layer. Since then, international agreements like ...
- Could penguins could go blind due to climate change?on May 6, 2024 at 5:46 pm
Increased ultraviolet radiation due to degradations in the ozone layer increases the risk of sunburn among penguins, and cataract-induced blindness as well.
- Effects of Extreme Temperatures on Drug Delivery of Albuterol Sulfate Hydrofluoroalkane Inhalation Aerosolson May 6, 2024 at 4:59 pm
[1] Chlorofluorocarbons have been the customary propellants used in MDIs; however, the impending phaseout of chlorofluorocarbon propellant for medicinal use has led to the research and development ...
- Could better asthma inhalers help patients, and the planet too?on May 6, 2024 at 6:12 am
Some doctors are promoting propellant-free inhalers over puff inhalers that emit greenhouse gases. Climate change can exacerbate respiratory ills because of more fires, air pollution and allergens.
- Could Better Inhalers Help Patients, and the Planet?on May 6, 2024 at 2:02 am
That’s what happened in the early to mid-2000s when ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were phased out of inhalers. Manufacturers changed the gas in metered-dose inhalers and the cost to ...
- Antarctic Wildlife Is Being Sunburnt. Scientists Say It's A "Wake-Up Call"on May 1, 2024 at 10:33 pm
The ultraviolet radiation from the Sun increase the risk of skin cancer and cataracts in humans, but researchers do not yet know if the same is true for Antarctic mammals and birds.
- Cloud control: Humanity’s never-ending quest to control the weatheron April 29, 2024 at 6:53 am
For over a century, we’ve turned to technology in an attempt to control the weather. Are today’s geoengineering proposals any better?
- Ozone hole: Why Antarctic wildlife is being 'sunburnt’on April 26, 2024 at 4:12 pm
A hole in the ozone layer - the protective barrier of gas in the upper atmosphere - now lingers over the frozen continent for more of the year. A major cause of ozone loss is believed to be the amount ...
- Why there’s a thriving black market for greenhouse gaseson April 25, 2024 at 2:00 am
Hydrofluorocarbons are a 'super greenhouse gas.' As the U.S. phases them out, illegal smuggling operations are popping up to supply them.
- Asian monsoon lofts ozone-depleting substances to stratosphereon April 24, 2024 at 11:22 am
Powerful monsoon winds, strengthened by a warming climate, are lofting unexpectedly large quantities of ozone-depleting substances high into the atmosphere over East Asia, according to new research.
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Chlorofluorocarbons
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Chlorofluorocarbons” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on:
CFCs
- 20 Outrageous 1980's Social Norms That Would Never Fly Todayon May 7, 2024 at 11:12 am
The use of aerosol sprays containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) was widespread in the 1980s, with little awareness of their harmful impact on the ozone layer. Since then, international agreements like ...
- Is Heat Pump Refrigerant Safe?on May 7, 2024 at 5:44 am
The refrigerant used in a heat pump system must have several qualities: There are four common classes of refrigerants: chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochloroflurocarbons (HCFCs ...
- Could better asthma inhalers help patients, and the planet too?on May 6, 2024 at 6:12 am
Some doctors are promoting propellant-free inhalers over puff inhalers that emit greenhouse gases. Climate change can exacerbate respiratory ills because of more fires, air pollution and allergens.
- Could Better Inhalers Help Patients, and the Planet?on May 6, 2024 at 2:02 am
That’s what happened in the early to mid-2000s when ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were phased out of inhalers. Manufacturers changed the gas in metered-dose inhalers and the cost to ...
- Cloud control: Humanity’s never-ending quest to control the weatheron April 29, 2024 at 6:53 am
For over a century, we’ve turned to technology in an attempt to control the weather. Are today’s geoengineering proposals any better?
- Antarctica's Extended Ozone Hole Raises Concerns For Penguin And Seal Breedingon April 28, 2024 at 9:30 am
If ozone holes last longer, summer-breeding animals around Antarctica's vast coastline will be exposed to high levels of reflected UV radiation. More UV can get through, and ice and snow is highly ...
- Airborne observations of Asian monsoon sees ozone-depleting substances lofting into the stratosphereon April 24, 2024 at 8:03 am
Powerful monsoon winds, strengthened by a warming climate, are lofting unexpectedly large quantities of ozone-depleting substances high into the atmosphere over East Asia, new research shows.
- Super-Polluting Greenhouse Gases Are For Sale On Facebook Marketplaceon April 10, 2024 at 3:30 am
And they are big business for smugglers. “Back in the 1990s, the street value of CFCs was nearly that of cocaine,” Avipsa Mahapatra, the non-profit Environmental Investigation Agency’s U.S ...
- R. W. Rosenblum CFE, CFCSon October 13, 2023 at 1:51 pm
Nationwide services. As a practicing Real Estate Agent and Broker (in several states) for over 31 years, Mr. Rosenblum is a real estate expert on Standards of Care, fiduciary responsibility ...
- The Ozone Layer: Our Global Sunscreenon July 22, 2023 at 1:39 am
The unintentional experiment started in the late 1920s, when Thomas Midgley and other industrial chemists began to produce chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), nontoxic compounds that improved refrigeration.
The Latest Google Headlines on:
CFCs
[google_news title=”” keyword=”CFCs” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]