Question

which compares the effectiveness of methane and nitrous oxide as a greenhouse gas with that of carbon dioxide? (1 point)
○ only methane is a more effective greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.
○ only nitrous oxide is a more effective greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.
○ both methane and nitrous oxide are more effective greenhouse gases than carbon dioxide.
○ neither methane nor nitrous oxide is a more effective greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.

Explanation:

To determine the effectiveness of methane and nitrous oxide as greenhouse gases compared to carbon dioxide, we refer to scientific knowledge: Methane ($CH_4$) has a much higher global warming potential (GWP) than carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) over a given time period (e.g., 100 - year GWP: methane is about 28 - 36 times more effective, nitrous oxide ($N_2O$) is about 265 - 298 times more effective at trapping heat than $CO_2$). So both methane and nitrous oxide are more effective greenhouse gases than carbon dioxide.

Answer:

C. Both methane and nitrous oxide are more effective greenhouse gases than carbon dioxide.