The Download: greenhouse gases, and how AI could affect inequality

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is used in high-voltage equipment on the grid. Greenhouse gases are those that trap heat in the atmosphere. SF6 and other fluorinated gases can be thousands of times more powerful at warming the planet than carbon dioxide, and yet, because they tend to escape in relatively small amounts, we hardly ever talk about them. Taken alone, their effects might be minor compared with those of carbon dioxide, but together, these gases add significantly to the challenge of addressing climate change. Casey Crownhart, our senior climate reporter, has drawn up a quick cheat sheet on the most important greenhouse gases you need to know about. This story is from The Spark, our weekly climate technology newsletter.