Greenhouse Gases
The Greenhouse Effect
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are essential to life on Earth. They provide a "blanket" in our atmosphere, trapping heat and regulating the Earth's temperature. However, when we burn fossil fuels to power our homes, businesses, and vehicles, we increase the level of GHGs in the atmosphere, creating a much thicker "blanket" that disrupts the Earth's climate.
UNIT | Greenhouse gases (GHGs) have a natural heat trapping capacity which varies by gas. Humans produce more carbon dioxide (CO2) than any other GHG. We count emissions of GHGs based on how each GHG’s heat trapping capacity compares to CO2s. This is called the "CO2 equivalent" (CO2e). We measure GHGs in metric tons of CO2e (MTCO2e). | MTCO2eMetric Tons Carbon Dioxide Equivalent |
| Greenhouse gases (GHGs) have a natural heat trapping capacity which varies by gas. Humans produce more carbon dioxide (CO2) than any other GHG. We count emissions of GHGs based on how each GHG’s heat trapping capacity compares to CO2s. This is called the "CO2 equivalent" (CO2e). We measure GHGs in metric tons of CO2e (MTCO2e). | MTCO2eMetric Tons Carbon Dioxide Equivalent |
Impacts of Climate Change
Harmful Impacts
Atherton needs to meet the emissions reductions goals in order to mitigate the harmful impacts of climate change that we're already feeling. Those impacts include:
- Flooding
- Power outages
- Rising temperatures / Heatwaves / High heat
- Hazardous air quality from wild fires
- Extreme storms
Impacts of Climate Change
High Heat
Extreme heat events occur when air temperatures reach or exceed 100°F. Across San Mateo County, air temperatures are expected to increase by an average of 5°F between 1995 and 2070 due to climate change. The greatest increases in the number of high heat days from 1995 to 2070 are projected to occur in Atherton, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Menlo Park, North Fair Oaks, and Redwood City. Some parts of Atherton can expect up to 35 high heat days per year.
Impacts of Climate Change
Extreme Storms
If the climate continues to change in the projected way, we will see more extreme storm events as well. In fact, we have already seen some in recent years.
Recently, the 2022-2023 Winter Storms brought damages to Atherton including:
- downed trees
- power outages for several days
- flooding
- damages to Atherton Channel
The good news is that we can all help make a difference to reduce further harmful impacts by focusing on our energy and water use and our transportation and consumption habits. Continue to Building Energy to learn more about our energy use and what you can do to help.
