Greenhouse gases in troposphere cause rise in global average surface temperature. Arrange the following gases in decreasing order of extra warming the

Question

Greenhouse gases in troposphere cause rise in global average surface temperature. Arrange the following gases in decreasing order of extra warming they have contributed (in percent) to the total anthropogenic effect.
A. $CO_2$
B. $N_2 O$
C. $O_3$
D. $CH_4$
E. CFCs
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

A, D, E, C, B

A, D, C, E, B

A, D, B, E, C

A, C, D, E, B

Solution

Correct option is B

Introduction

The enhanced (anthropogenic) greenhouse effect results from several gases, each contributing a different share of the extra warming.

Ranking them by percentage reflects both their concentration and radiative efficiency.

Information Booster

A. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is by far the largest contributor, accounting for roughly 60% of the enhanced effect.

Though a weaker per-molecule absorber than some others, its vast emission volume from fossil-fuel combustion and deforestation makes it dominant.
D. Methane (CH₄) ranks second at about 15–20%. It is far more potent per molecule than CO₂ and arises from agriculture, livestock, wetlands, landfills, and fossil-fuel leaks.
C. The third-ranked gas (tropospheric ozone) follows, contributing a moderate share as a short-lived climate forcer formed from precursor pollutants.
E. CFCs contribute next; despite tiny concentrations, their very high per-molecule warming potential gives them a notable share, now declining under the Montreal Protocol.
B. Nitrous oxide (N₂O) contributes the smallest share here (~6%), from fertilisers, soils, and combustion, with a high GWP but low concentration.