The Global Warming Potential (GWP) of methane (CH₄) relative to carbon dioxide (CO₂) over a 100- year time horizon has been estimated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Earlier assessments, commonly cited, put the GWP of methane at approximately 21 times that of CO₂ over 100 years. More recent IPCC reports (like AR5) have updated this value to 28-34 (including climate-carbon feedbacks), but 21 is a widely recognized value from earlier reports and often used in simplified contexts or older questions. Given the options, 21 is the closest and most appropriate historical estimate provided.
Considering the global warming potential of CO₂ as one, the global warming potential of CH₄ has been estimated to be approximately :
Asked in OPSC CS Prelims 2017 · Topic: Greenhouse Effect and Climate Change (Composition, Sources, and Radiative Forcing of Major Greenhouse Gases (GHGs))
More Environment and Ecology questions
- The safe threshold limit of CO₂ concentration in the atmosphere in ppm is :
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- Which of the following is the most important greenhouse gas in the earth's atmosphere ?
- In terms of efficiency, the most potent greenhouse gas is :
- Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and cause global warming are called greenhouse gases. Which of the following combinations are not included under the greenhouse gases?
- The targets for the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol cover emissions of the six main greenhouse gases. Which of the following gas is not one of these ?
- The relative contributions of carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrous oxide (N₂O), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and methane (CH₄) towards global warming are
- Which of the following statements are true about greenhouse gases ?