Broadly, greenhouse gases can be divided into two categories: short-lived, such as carbon dioxide, and long-lived, such as methane. Of these two categories, which gas has the highest global warming potential? To answer this question, we must examine the properties, impacts, and sources of greenhouse gases.
Short-lived gases, such as carbon dioxide, are characterized by having relatively short lifespans in the atmosphere after they are released. They generally remain in the atmosphere for just a few decades, yet their impact on climate change is significant. Carbon dioxide is one of the primary drivers of global warming and has been found to account for approximately 75 percent of all global emissions.
On the other hand, long-lived gases, such as methane, have lifespans of century or more. Methane, in particular, can remain in the atmosphere for up to 12 years. The global warming potential of methane is much greater than that of carbon dioxide, because it is estimated to be over 80 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide over a five-year span, and over 25 times more effective over a century.
The sources of these gases and the amount they contribute to global warming also play a role in determining which gas has the highest potential. Carbon dioxide is released mainly through human activities such as burning fossil fuels, industrial processes, and land-use changes. On the other hand, methane is mainly released through agriculture, including the raising of livestock, rice production, and natural sources such as wetlands. As of 2019, it is estimated that methane makes up about 17 percent of global emissions.
In conclusion, although carbon dioxide undeniably has a significant impact on climate change, evidence suggests that methane has the highest global warming potential. It is the most active of the long-lived gases, capable of trapping energy for more than a decade. Additionally, current research suggests that methane emissions contribute a larger portion to global emissions than carbon dioxide.
Given this, further efforts to investigate and reduce sources of methane emissions should be a priority for any climate change mitigation efforts. Additionally, continued research to better understand the impact of different gases on global warming should be encouraged.
Which Gas Has Highest Global Warming Potential
