The increasing order of greenhouse gases in terms of the amount of extra warming they produce in Earth's atmosphere is:

(A) CO₂

(B) CH₄

(C) N₂O

(D) CFCs

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct option is A

Introduction:

• Greenhouse gases differ greatly in their ability to trap heat.
• This strength is measured as Global Warming Potential (GWP) over a 100-year period.
• The higher the GWP, the more warming the gas produces per unit mass compared to CO₂.

Information Booster:

• Approximate GWP₁₀₀ values of major greenhouse gases:

• Gas	GWP₁₀₀	Explanation
  CO₂	1	Reference gas for comparison
  CH₄	≈ 28–34	Stronger than CO₂; shorter lifetime
  N₂O	≈ 265–298	Very strong & long-lived
  CFCs (e.g., CFC-12)	≈ 10,000–20,000+	Extremely powerful, long-lived GHGs

• Thus, the strength of warming effect increases in the order:
• CO₂ < CH₄ < N₂O < CFCs

• CFCs, despite lower concentrations, contribute disproportionately to warming due to exceptionally high GWP and long atmospheric lifetimes.

• N₂O not only warms the atmosphere but also destroys stratospheric ozone.

• CH₄ has a shorter lifetime (~12 years) but is a much stronger absorber of infrared radiation than CO₂.

• CO₂ remains the most significant GHG overall because of its massive emissions and long atmospheric persistence.