Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) MVAC Certification

Which of the following gases are known to contribute to increased global warming?

1. Nitrous oxide

2. Methane

3. Both nitrous oxide and methane

4. Only carbon dioxide

The correct answer is: Both nitrous oxide and methane

The correct answer is that both nitrous oxide and methane contribute to increased global warming. Nitrous oxide is a potent greenhouse gas that can trap heat in the atmosphere. It is released during agricultural activities, fossil fuel combustion, and other industrial processes. Its ability to absorb infrared radiation makes it significantly more effective at contributing to the greenhouse effect compared to carbon dioxide, even though it is present in smaller quantities. Similarly, methane is another greenhouse gas that plays a crucial role in global warming. It is released during the production and transport of coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as through livestock and other agricultural practices. Methane is particularly powerful; it has a much higher heat-trapping ability than carbon dioxide, making it a significant contributor to the greenhouse effect over a short time frame. Together, both nitrous oxide and methane have considerable impacts on our climate, firmly establishing their roles in global warming. Therefore, the acknowledgment of both gases as contributors to this environmental issue is important in understanding the multifaceted nature of greenhouse gas effects on our atmosphere.