Which gas is primarily responsible for the greenhouse effect?

Carbon dioxide is primarily responsible for the greenhouse effect due to its ability to absorb and emit infrared radiation. This characteristic makes it a significant contributor to the warming of the Earth's surface and atmosphere. When solar energy reaches the Earth, some of it is reflected back into space, while the rest is absorbed and re-radiated as infrared heat. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, trap this heat in the atmosphere, preventing it from escaping and consequentially warming the planet.

Although other gases, like water vapor and methane, also play roles in the greenhouse effect, carbon dioxide is especially notable because its concentration in the atmosphere increases through human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. This anthropogenic increase enhances the natural greenhouse effect, leading to climate change and global warming. The significance of carbon dioxide in contributing to these environmental changes underlines its critical role in discussions about climate policy and greenhouse gas emissions.

Ozone, while important in regulating ultraviolet radiation in the stratosphere, functions differently and is not a direct contributor to the greenhouse effect in the same manner as carbon dioxide. Similarly, nitrogen and oxygen constitute a large part of the atmosphere but do not significantly absorb infrared radiation, thus having minimal impact on greenhouse warming.