#BurningFossilFuels 🌎 #ClimateChange ☁️ #WaterVapor 💧
Hey there, r/askscience! I’ve been pondering a question that has been on my mind lately:
## The Impact of Water Vapor from Fossil Fuels on Climate Change
We are all aware of the harmful effects of burning fossil fuels, such as the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere leading to the greenhouse effect and climate change. But what about the water vapor that is also produced as a by-product? Does the release of water vapor have a significant impact on our climate, sea levels, and ecosystems? Let’s dive into this interesting topic.
### Understanding the Role of Water Vapor in Climate Change
Water vapor, like carbon dioxide, is a greenhouse gas, meaning it traps heat in the atmosphere. When fossil fuels are burned, water vapor is released into the atmosphere, potentially leading to the formation of more clouds, increased rainfall, groundwater saturation, and even flooding in some regions.
### Impact on Climate and Sea Levels
While water vapor itself is a natural component of the Earth’s atmosphere, the increased levels resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels can contribute to changes in the climate. Studies have shown that rising sea levels are influenced by a combination of factors, including the melting of glaciers, thermal expansion of seawater, and changes in precipitation patterns influenced by water vapor emissions.
### Recommendations and Actionable Steps
If you are concerned about the impact of water vapor from the combustion of fossil fuels on the climate, here are some actionable steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint and help mitigate climate change:
– Reduce your reliance on fossil fuels by using renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power.
– Support policies and initiatives that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable practices.
– Raise awareness about the link between water vapor emissions and climate change in your community.
### Conclusion
In conclusion, while water vapor is a natural component of the Earth’s atmosphere, the increased levels resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels can have a significant impact on our climate, sea levels, and ecosystems. By taking action to reduce our carbon footprint and promote sustainable practices, we can help mitigate these effects and work towards a healthier planet for future generations. 🌍💧
Water vapor is quickly (~days) removed from the system via rain. Producing water vapor leads to an equivalent increase in precipitation. The water itself stays around, but it ends up in the ocean.
It’s not much in the first place. There are ~[13 trillion tonnes](https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/atmosphere-and-water-cycle) of water in the atmosphere. Global CO2 emissions are around 40 billion tonnes, water is somewhere in the same range (depending on the fractions of the different fossil fuels). That’s something like 100 million tonnes per day. Let’s give it an atmospheric lifetime of 10 days and we add 1 billion tonnes to the 13,000 billion tonnes as order of magnitude estimate.