Steam engines and other sources of greenhouse gases

The steam engine is considered to be one of the most important influences in the industrial revolution. This steam engine revolutionized not only industry but transportation as well. Before this engine, the emissions from human production were almost at practically nothing. However, after the new steam engine was created there is a visible jump in CO2 concentration in the atmosphere.  Steam engines are generally are generally heated by coal, which produces about 2.86 tons of CO2 per ton burned (1).  With the steam engine fueling the Industrial Revolution, human emissions have been steadily growing due to a better ability to produce and an insatiable appetite for more. The different amounts of greenhouse gas that transportation, industry, residential and commercial give off in Hong Kong can be seen on the piechart breakdown below.