What are the most important greenhouse gases?

Answer 1

There are many gases which contribute to the greenhouse effect. Some have a more potent effect than others. The following are considered to be greenhouse gases; the number after the name indicates the equivalent greenhouse gas effect compared to the carbon dioxide effect (the principal man-made greenhouse gas):

Water vapor

Carbon dioxide

Answer 2

This depends on what you mean by important. For instance chlorinated fluorocarbons at a given concentration have an effect thousands of times that of the same concentration of Carbon dioxide. Fortunately their concentration is very low. On the other hand water vapor has a lower effect than an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide but its concentration is very high (not surprising since two thirds of the earth's surface is water) so with the current composition of the earth's atmosphere water vaporhas the greatest effect. However the concentration of water vapor varies with the temperature and is not directly affected by human activities. If we were to increase the level of water vapor in the atmosphere and leave everything else unchanged, the water vapor would fairly quickly condense out as rain, snow, frost or dew and there would be no lasting effect on global temperatures

Carbon dioxide comes second after water vapor and its concentration in the atmosphere is heavily affected by burning of fossil fuels. As the CO2 concentration increases, the temperature of the atmosphere increases, as does its ability to hold water vapor. So an increase in CO2 results in an increase in water vapor and a further increase in temperature. Because CO2 does not condense out it has a lasting effect which is amplified by the ensuing increase in water vapor.

Answer 3

In the natural greenhouse effect, water vapor is the most important. Carbon dioxide is second, followed by Methane and Ozone. As long as these gases remain at about their present levels of concentration in the atmosphere, we continue to enjoy a climate that is just warm enough for comfort and human existence.

When human activity destroys that balance, then we get an enhanced greenhouse effect, causing global warming and climate change. Carbon dioxide is the most important gas in this process, since human activity has increased its atmospheric concentration from 260-280 parts per million to 380 parts per million.

Answer 4

Water vapor is the most common making up about 90% of the total greenhouse gas volume and almost 80% of the forcing.

Next in line is CO2, then methane and ozone.

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There are 4 main greenhouse gasses. Their contributions to the greenhouse effect are:

• water vapour 36 - 72%
• carbon dioxide 9 - 26%
• methane 4 - 9%
• ozone 3 - 7%

Answer 5

Important gases in the atmosphere mainly are nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Answer 6

water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone.