The process of sourcing and shaping heavy materials to make some types of flooring (i.e. stone; concrete;
tile) often requires the aid of energy–intensive machines. A number of these machines are capable of emitting
greenhouse gases into the air. These gases contribute to global warming. This is yet another dimension of what constitutes
green flooring.
According to the National Weather Service, global warming is "an overall increase in world temperatures which may be
caused by additional heat being trapped by greenhouse gases." The steady increase in average global temperature is expected
to cause the sea levels to rise – which many scientists argue is already happening. The flooding of coastal areas will
become more common and make them more susceptible to storms and high tides. Storm surges, flooding rivers and surface waves
are a direct consequence of rising sea levels; all things that could affect ecosystems, wildlife and humans.
Other effects of global warming include mass extinction, a continuing rise in diseases, and depletion of agricultural
resources.
The Kyoto Protocol was created by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change as a way to
stabilize the greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. They are currently working on the reduction of the 6 following
greenhouse gases:
- Nitrous oxide
- Sulfur hexafluoride
- Carbon dioxide
- Methane
- Perfluorocarbons
- Hydrofluorocarbons
In accordance with the Kyoto Protocol, industrialized countries agreed to reduce their collective greenhouse gas emissions
by 5.2%. Since the protocol was developed in 1992, countries such as Germany, Norway, Russia and Pakistan have all managed to
significantly lower their overall greenhouse gas emissions.
The conversion of land to use (i.e. deforestation), and the burning of fossil fuels, are the main contributors to the
increase in CO2 concentration. Since these ongoing practices show no signs of slowing down and no alternative methods have
been developed, greenhouse gas concentrations in some areas are expected to reach astronomical levels over the next few
decades.
