Which gas is a major driver of the greenhouse effect?

Which gas is a major driver of the greenhouse effect?

• A. Methane
• B. Oxygen
• C. Carbon dioxide (CO2)
• D. Nitrogen

Answer: (C)

Gases that trap infrared radiation in the atmosphere drive the greenhouse effect. Carbon dioxide stands out because its concentration is high and it lasts a long time in the air, so the heat it traps accumulates and affects Earth's warmth over extended periods. This makes CO2 the major driver of long-term warming, especially from human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation. Methane, while it traps heat very effectively per molecule, is present in smaller amounts and has a shorter atmospheric lifetime, so its overall impact is smaller than that of CO2. Oxygen and nitrogen do not absorb infrared radiation well enough to contribute significantly to the greenhouse effect. Water vapor is a strong natural greenhouse gas as well, but among the listed options CO2 is the primary long-term driver.

Gases that trap infrared radiation in the atmosphere drive the greenhouse effect. Carbon dioxide stands out because its concentration is high and it lasts a long time in the air, so the heat it traps accumulates and affects Earth's warmth over extended periods. This makes CO2 the major driver of long-term warming, especially from human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation. Methane, while it traps heat very effectively per molecule, is present in smaller amounts and has a shorter atmospheric lifetime, so its overall impact is smaller than that of CO2. Oxygen and nitrogen do not absorb infrared radiation well enough to contribute significantly to the greenhouse effect. Water vapor is a strong natural greenhouse gas as well, but among the listed options CO2 is the primary long-term driver.