The gas contributing a major role in global warming (A) Carbon dioxide (B) Ozone (C) Nitrous oxide (D) Methane

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Points to Remember:

  • Greenhouse gases and their contribution to global warming.
  • Relative global warming potentials of different gases.
  • The role of human activities in greenhouse gas emissions.

Introduction:

Global warming, the ongoing increase in Earth’s average temperature, is primarily driven by the enhanced greenhouse effect. This effect is caused by the accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere, trapping heat that would otherwise radiate into space. While several gases contribute to this effect, some are significantly more potent than others. The question asks to identify the gas playing a major role in global warming from a given list. This requires a factual approach, focusing on the relative global warming potentials of the listed gases.

Body:

1. Carbon Dioxide (CO2):

CO2 is the most significant anthropogenic (human-caused) greenhouse gas contributing to global warming. While not the most potent in terms of heat trapping per molecule, its sheer abundance in the atmosphere due to the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes makes it the primary driver of climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports consistently highlight CO2’s dominant role. For example, the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) emphasizes the unequivocal human influence on the warming climate, largely attributed to CO2 emissions.

2. Methane (CH4):

Methane is a significantly more potent greenhouse gas than CO2, trapping heat at a rate approximately 25 times greater over a 100-year period. However, its atmospheric lifetime is much shorter (around 12 years compared to centuries for CO2). Sources of methane include agriculture (livestock, rice cultivation), natural gas leaks, and landfills. While its contribution is substantial, it is still less impactful than CO2 due to its lower overall concentration in the atmosphere.

3. Nitrous Oxide (N2O):

Nitrous oxide is another potent GHG, with a global warming potential about 300 times that of CO2 over 100 years. Its sources include agricultural activities (fertilizer use), industrial processes, and the burning of fossil fuels. While potent, its atmospheric concentration is lower than both CO2 and methane, resulting in a smaller overall contribution to global warming compared to CO2.

4. Ozone (O3):

Ground-level ozone is a harmful pollutant and a greenhouse gas, but its contribution to global warming is significantly less than CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide. Stratospheric ozone, on the other hand, plays a crucial role in protecting the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation and is not a significant contributor to the greenhouse effect.

Conclusion:

While methane and nitrous oxide are more potent greenhouse gases than carbon dioxide on a per-molecule basis, carbon dioxide (A) remains the gas contributing the major role in global warming due to its significantly higher concentration in the atmosphere resulting from human activities. Addressing climate change requires a multifaceted approach focusing on reducing emissions of all GHGs, but particularly CO2. This involves transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, adopting sustainable agricultural practices, and promoting reforestation and afforestation. A holistic approach incorporating technological innovation, policy changes, and global cooperation is crucial to mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure a sustainable future for all.

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