QuestionEnvironment / climate change
Which one of the following greenhouse gases is the largest single contributor to anthropogenic radiative forcing?
- (a) Methane
- (b) Ozone
- (c) Nitrous oxide
- (d) Carbon dioxide
Answer: (d) Carbon dioxide
CO₂ gives the largest share of anthropogenic radiative forcing (about two-thirds of the forcing from long-lived greenhouse gases), from fossil fuel burning and land-use change. CH₄ is stronger per molecule but far less abundant.