Other gases effect climate change as well as CO2

While carbon dioxide (CO2) is widely known as a greenhouse gas, others like methane and nitrous oxide also warm the Earth. In 2023, levels of these gases reached new highs, as reported by the World Meteorological Organization. CO2 contributes about two-thirds of greenhouse gas warming, but methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are also significant. Methane, mainly from agriculture and fossil fuels, is over 80 times more powerful than CO2 in warming the planet over 20 years, though it has a shorter lifespan. Reducing methane emissions, especially from natural gas leaks, can have a strong, short-term cooling effect.

Nitrous oxide, primarily from fertilizers, is nearly 300 times more potent than CO2. By using fertilizers more efficiently, especially in humid agricultural areas, experts believe much of N2O’s warming potential could be curbed.

Fluorinated gases, found in items like fridges and air conditioners, have extremely high warming capabilities. For example, SF6 has 24,000 times the warming impact of CO2. Global pacts like the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment are phasing out some of these gases, aiming for reduction by 2050. Together, these efforts could help manage Earth’s warming.