Which greenhouse gas would cause the most overall harm if it was as abundant in our atmosphere as carbon dioxide is now and sources of carbon dioxide in greenhouse gas emissions?
To my pnion it s wahter vapour. It determines the radiation regimes on Earth and is a greenhouse gas as well. The dynamics are chaotic and have caused big hurricanes and storm systems as well!
So watch out for high vapour pressures in the atmosphere. They can cause havoc!
#NoMercyCV
Methane (CH4) persists in the atmosphere for around 12 years, which is less time than carbon dioxide, but it is much more potent in terms of the greenhouse effect. In fact, pound for pound, its global warming impact is almost 30 times greater than that of carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. Water vapour is the most abundant greenhouse gas. It increases as the earth's atmosphere warms but unlike CO2, which can remain in the earth's atmosphere for centuries, water vapour persists for only a few days. Due to its structure, methane traps more heat in the atmosphere per molecule than carbon dioxide (CO2), making it 80 times more harmful than CO2 for 20 years after it is released. Cutting methane emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 could help us meet the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Carbon dioxide is widely reported as the most important anthropogenic greenhouse gas because it currently accounts for the greatest portion of the warming associated with human activities. Combustion of natural gas and petroleum products for heating and cooking needs emits carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). Emissions from natural gas consumption represent about 81 percent of the direct fossil fuel CO2 emissions from the residential and commercial sectors. The high level of CO2 at sunrise in a greenhouse is caused by plants respiring and releasing CO2 into the atmosphere. The respiration process continues in light but at a reduced rate.
- Badges
- Science topic