F-gases: the greenhouse gas you've never heard of

Fluorinated gases or f-gases are powerful greenhouse polluters. What are they? And where are they?

Carbon dioxide from energy production is the largest contributor to climate change but fluorinated gases (or F-gases) are also pretty powerful greenhouse polluters.

They currently contribute about 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

So what are they and where are they used?

The most common F-gases are hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

They are both thousands of times more powerful than carbon dioxide at trapping heat.

They are used in fridges and air conditioners.

But there are alternatives

Natutal refrigerants are environmentally safe, cost effective, and technologically reliable.

Greenpeace wants all HFCs and HCFCs to be phased out and replaced with natural refrigeration technology.

Pobaby cartoon

This cute Chinese-made cartoon explains the problems of F-gases.