back arrow forward arrow

Though CFCs have been phased out, the hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs) used to replace them also have the ability to change Earth's radiation balance by acting as greenhouse gases. These gases are among a group of compounds which are sometimes called super greenhouse gases because of their disproportionately large GWPs.

Gas Atmospheric Lifetime Global Warming Potential Time Horizon
(Years) 20 Years 100 Years 500 Years
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) variable 1 1 1
Sulfur Hexafluoride
(SF6)
3200 16 300 22 800 32 600

Of all the gases evaluated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) has the highest GWP. This gas is used in semiconductor manufacturing, and in electric power transmission and distribution. With few sinks and an atmospheric lifetime of 3200 years, the levels of atmospheric SF6 will continue to build up and will not fall back down for a few millennia.

Significant increases in the atmospheric concentration of any of these super greenhouse gases could considerably alter Earth's radiation balance and the rate of climate change.

Your Turn

Question: Imagine that you have been given the task of making Mars habitable for human colonization. How could you use the unique properties of super greenhouse gases to change the climate on Mars?

For questions or concerns, please email us at kcvs@kingsu.ca.
Content subject to KCVS terms of use.
Click here to see our land acknowledgement.
© The King's Centre for Visualization in Science.