Which of the following gases are major anthropogenic greenhouse gases contributing to global warming in Earth’s atmosphere?

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Question restatement: Which of the following gases are major anthropogenic greenhouse gases contributing to global warming in Earth’s atmosphere?

Options:
- Option 1: Nitrogen (N₂), Oxygen (O₂), and Argon (Ar)
- Option 2: Carbon dioxide (CO₂), Methane (CH₄), and Nitrous oxide (N₂O)
- Option 3: Ozone (O₃), Water vapor (H₂O), and Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)
- Option 4: Carbon dioxide (CO₂), Water vapor (H₂O), and Nitrous oxide (N₂O)

Analysis of each option:
Option 1: Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Argon are major atmospheric gases, but they are not greenhouse gases that drive anthropogenic warming in the way CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O do. While some of these gases can absorb some infrared radiation very weakly, they account for only a negligible portion of radiative forcing compared with the main anthropogenic greenhouse gases. Therefore this option incorrect as the trio does not represent the major anthropogenic greenhouse gases.

Option 2: Carbon dioxide (CO₂), Methane (CH₄), and Nitrous oxide (N₂O) are widely recognized as the primary long-lived or effectively long-lived greenhouse gases released by human activities (fossil fuel combustion, agriculture, industry, waste, etc.). They have substantial radiative forcing and are central to climate change discussions. This option aligns with the standard list of major anthropogenic greenhouse gases.

Option 3: Ozone (O₃) and Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) are important atmospheric constituents and air pollutants, and water vapor (H₂O) is a powerful greenhouse gas. However, this option is not correct because while ozone, NO₂, and water vapor can influence climate, they are not categorized together as the primary major anthropogenic greenhouse gases in the same sense as CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O. Water vapor, in particular, is largely controlled by temperature and atmospheric processes, not directly emitted in the same way as CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O, so this trio misrepresents the major anthropogenic drivers.

Option 4: Carbon dioxide (CO₂) and Nitrous oxide (N₂O) are valid greenhouse gases with human-related emissions, but including water vapor (H₂O) makes this option inaccurate for identifying the main anthropogenic greenhouse gas trio. Water vapor is a major greenhouse gas but its atmospheric concentration is largely governed by temperature and feedbacks rather than direct anthropogenic emission in the same way as CO₂ and N₂O. Thus this combination is not considered the standard list of major anthropogenic greenhouse gases.

In summary, evaluating the options based on which gases are consistently identified as the key anthropogenic drivers of modern global warming, Option 2 best fits the established scientific consensus, while the other options mix gases that are either not major anthropogenic drivers or include gases whose roles are not on par with CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O.

CLMTGR5001_002_2025_3 - Dynamics of Climate Variability and Chan Midterm Group A (Secure Browser)

Which of the following gases are major anthropogenic greenhouse gases contributing to global warming in Earth’s atmosphere?

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