Hot Molecules
Low Hanging Greenhouse Gases
Emissions such as methane, black carbon, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases are often called “super- pollutants” because they are much more potent at warming the planet than carbon dioxide. While these substances remain in the atmosphere for far shorter periods of time, their warming potential is hundreds and even thousands of times greater.
This ongoing series examines these potent climate pollutants and shines a light on their biggest sources. They include a chemical plant in Florida and a group of 11 similar plants in China that emit large quantities of nitrous oxide, despite the availability of affordable abatement technologies.
Our longstanding news coverage of climate super-pollutants can be found here.
A Plant in Florida Emits Vast Quantities of a Greenhouse Gas Nearly 300 Times More Potent Than CO2
Ascend’s sprawling chemical complex north of Pensacola releases nitrous oxide into the atmosphere equivalent to the emissions from 2.1 million cars per year.
By Phil McKenna
A Chinese Chemical Company Captures and Reuses 6,000 Tons of a Super-Polluting Greenhouse Gas
By Phil McKenna, Lili Pike
‘Super-Pollutant’ Emitted by 11 Chinese Chemical Plants Could Equal a Climate Catastrophe
By PHIL MCKENNA, LILI PIKE, KATRINA NORTHROP
Chinese Factories Want to Make Climate-Friendly Air Conditioners. A US Company Is Blocking Them
By Phil McKenna and Feng Hao
Stimulus Bill Is Laden With Climate Provisions, Including a Phasedown of Chemical Super-Pollutants
By Phil McKenna
