Which of the following gases contributes the most to the greenhouse effect?

Carbon dioxide is identified as the primary contributor to the greenhouse effect primarily due to its abundance in the Earth’s atmosphere and its long atmospheric lifetime. It is a result of both natural processes and human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and various industrial processes.

When carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere, it effectively absorbs infrared radiation emitted from the Earth's surface, leading to the warming of the atmosphere, a phenomenon known as the greenhouse effect. While other gases, such as methane and nitrous oxide, have a greater heat-trapping ability per molecule, the sheer volume of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere means it has the most significant overall impact on global warming.

In comparison, ozone plays a role in the greenhouse effect as well, but it is more associated with the stratosphere, where it protects life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation, rather than acting as a major contributor to the greenhouse effect in the lower atmosphere. Methane, while potent in its greenhouse capabilities, is present in much smaller quantities than carbon dioxide. Nitrous oxide, while also an effective greenhouse gas, is less prevalent than carbon dioxide in terms of its contribution to climate change. Thus, carbon dioxide stands out as the major concern in the context of the greenhouse