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What are the Causes of Global Warming?

August 31, 2016

Around the world, the majority of respected climate scientists agree that the main cause of global warming is the human-influenced "greenhouse effect". This is essentially a warming of the Earth because the atmosphere is trapping heat that radiates from the Earth outward to space. There are certain gases in the atmosphere that block heat from radiating away from the Earth. Some gases are semi-permanent and don't respond to changes in temperature - these are seen as "forcing" climate change. Other gases do respond to temperature change - they are "feedbacks." Water vapour is the most abundant of the greenhouse gases. It increases in volume, as the Earth warms up, and accounts for cloud formations and precipitation - a very important "feedback". Carbon Dioxide is another important component in the atmosphere, and is released naturally by various means, but also through human actions, one of which is the burning of fossil fuels. Scientists have determined that humans have increased Carbon Dioxide levels in the atmosphere very substantially since the Industrial Revolution - an example of "forcing" climate change. Methane is another gas that's produced naturally (and through human action). Landfill waste and agriculture contribute to methane gas, while domestic livestock contribute through manure. When compared, methane gas is much more active as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. But at the same time, atmospheric concentrations are less abundant than carbon dioxide. Nitrous Oxide is one of the more powerful greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. It's a bi-product of soil cultivation, especially with commercial fertilizers, and when fossil fuels are burned. Chlorofluorocarbons (also referred to as CFCs) are industrial compounds that are very regulated today because they are known to destroy the ozone layer. CFCs are also greenhouse gases. Planets that have little greenhouse effect - like Mars - have a thin atmosphere, comprised mostly of carbon dioxide. With very little methane or water vapour, the greenhouse effect is weak. Planets like Venus have a "runaway" greenhouse effect. Venus has 300 times the carbon dioxide as the Earth's atmosphere - it makes for a surface temperature that will easily melt metal. Human activities have contributed negatively to the "greenhouse effect". Burning fossil fuels like oil and coal has significantly increased concentrations of carbon dioxide. As for agriculture and industry, these have contributed to a lesser degree to concentrations of greenhouse gases. Beyond the causes of global warming, the after-effects are already evident. World temperatures are becoming warmer. Warm weather leads to more evaporation and more precipitation. Overall, some regions will become wetter and other regions will become dryer (even in extreme). The more intense the "greenhouse effect", the more prone oceans are to warm and glacial ice to melt. Ocean water also expands when it warms, which contributes to rising sea levels. In general, higher temperatures and changing climate change where crops will grow and thrive the best. The United Nations has concluded that in all probability (90%) human activities have resulted in human-produced greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide). These are the main contributors to increases in the Earth's temperatures during the last 60 years.

Western Ontario

935 Keyes Drive
Woodstock, Ontario
Canada N4V 1C3

Phone: 1-800-265-1914

Fax: (519) 539-7946
TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Muskoka, Haliburton, Northern Ontario

1027 Elwell Park Road
Gravenhurst, Ontario
Canada P1P 1R1

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Central Ontario

29 Ferndale Industrial Drive
Barrie, Ontario
Canada L4N 9V5

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2 Guided Court
Etobicoke, ON
M9V 4K6

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GTA East

103 North Port Road
Port Perry, Ontario
Canada L9L 1B2

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South Central Ontario

450 Industrial Dr,
Toronto (Milton), Ontario
Canada L9T 5A6

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Eastern Ontario

1035 Moodie Dr #1,
Nepean, ON
K2R 1H4

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Niagara Region

25 Lincoln Ave
St. Catharines, ON
L2P 2C7

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BBB

Great Northern Insulation - Better Business Bureau Profile.

Homestars Best of 2021 Award

Best of 2021

HomeStars has ranked Great Northern Insulation as a company that goes above and beyond in every aspect of business for the year of 2021.

Homestars Best of 2022 Award

Best of 2022

HomeStars has ranked Great Northern Insulation as a company that goes above and beyond in every aspect of business for the year of 2022.

Lowes

GNI is the Authorized & Trusted Insulation and Air Sealing Installer for Lowe’s

Trusted for Over 40 Years

Over 40 Years in Business

At GNI, we service your project with the most experienced staff in the industry. Ongoing professional development is an obsession at GNI and we will not compromise at any level to bring to our customers the very best Installers, Sales Representatives, Customer Care Personnel, Field Superintendents, Estimating and Technical Support to your project.

100% Canadian

100% Canadian

Great Northern Insulation is recognized as Canada's largest full-service insulation contractor. GNI is 100% Canadian owned, proudly serving Ontario customers since 1980.

Foam Masters

Do it right the first time
- with foam mastersTM

January, 2021 regulatory phaseout of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) with the introduction of WALLTITE CM01. Using hydrofluorolefins (HFOs) with lower global warming potential (GWP) compared to HFCs, WALLTITE CM01 is the next generation of spray foam insulation.

HEATLOK® SOYA HFO™ 

Huntsman HEATLOK® SOYA HFO™ 

Heatlok® Soya HFOTM leverages Honeywell’s latest Solstice® Liquid Blowing Agent technology. This new hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) blowing agent is the most environmentally conscious blowing agent produced to date, with a zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and a global warming potential (GWP) of 1, which is more than two orders of magnitude (99.9%) lower than HFCs used in this industry.

3M

3MTM products.
Quality + Performance = Savings

3MTM energy-saving products are designed to keep warm air in, and cold air out, while keeping energy bills down. Products optimize energy efficiency in buildings and homes; improve indoor environment for occupants; and effect the reduction of seasonal energy costs. 3M products are authorized for LEED credits (Leadership in Energy/Environmental Design).

Holmes and Holmes

Holmes and Holmes

 

Mike Holmes and his son Mike Jr. (MJ) convert MJ’s bachelor bungalow into a two-storey home for MJ and his girlfriend Lisa. Choosing the newest materials and build techniques, the father and son team follow Mike’s famous motto – “Make it right.” The show can be watched on HGTV and DIY Network.

Enbridge

Enbridge Incentives

The Home Efficiency Rebate Plus program offers up to $10,000 in home reno rebates – and Great Northern Insulation can pave the way.

Renomark

Great Northern Insulation proudly abides by a renovation-specific Code of Conduct set by RenoMark™.

eRenovate

We are Verified & Bonded by eRenovate. When you choose to proceed with our services through their platform, you receive the gaurantees set forth through their program.

As Seen on Love It or List It

The GNI crew have been featured installing insulation on Love It or List It - have you seen our logo in an episode?

Climatizer Cellulose

Climatizer

CLIMATIZER PLUS cellulose insulation is manufactured from a minimum of 85% locally-sourced post-consumer recycled newsprint. Non-toxic additives are applied to the uniquely fiberized paper generating a building material with superior thermal and acoustic properties, as well as exceptional resistance to fire, moisture, mould and pests.

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