UPSC Exam  >  UPSC Questions  >   What is the primary greenhouse gas associate... Start Learning for Free
What is the primary greenhouse gas associated with human activity, contributing approximately 64% of the warming effect on the climate?
  • a)
    Carbon Monoxide (CO)
  • b)
    Methane (CH4)
  • c)
    Nitrous Oxide (N2O)
  • d)
    Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
What is the primary greenhouse gas associated with human activity, co...
Understanding Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are crucial in maintaining the Earth's temperature by trapping heat in the atmosphere. However, human activities have significantly increased their concentrations, leading to climate change.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Its Role
- Carbon Dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas emitted through human activities, notably from burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and various industrial processes.
- It contributes approximately 64% of the total warming effect on the climate, making it the most significant GHG in terms of human impact.
Other Greenhouse Gases
- While other gases like Methane (CH4), Nitrous Oxide (N2O), and Carbon Monoxide (CO) also contribute to warming, their overall impact is less than that of CO2.
- Methane, for example, is more potent in the short term but has a lower overall concentration compared to CO2.
Why Focus on CO2?
- The long atmospheric lifetime of CO2 (up to thousands of years) means that its warming effects persist much longer than those of other greenhouse gases.
- Efforts to mitigate climate change often focus on reducing CO2 emissions due to its prevalent role in global warming.
Conclusion
- Understanding the dominance of Carbon Dioxide in climate change is essential for developing effective environmental policies and strategies aimed at reducing global warming.
By addressing CO2 emissions, we can make significant strides toward mitigating climate impacts and ensuring a sustainable future.
Free Test
Community Answer
What is the primary greenhouse gas associated with human activity, co...
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is the primary greenhouse gas associated with human activity, accounting for approximately 64% of the warming effect on the climate. This is primarily due to activities like fossil fuel combustion and cement production. Carbon dioxide levels have been increasing steadily, with significant implications for global climate change.
Explore Courses for UPSC exam

Similar UPSC Doubts

Passage 2It is essential that we mitigate the emissions of greenhouse gases .and thus avoid some of the worst impacts of climate change that would take place in coming years and decades. Mitigation would require a major shift in the way we produce and consume energy. A shift away from overwhelming dependence on fossil fuels is now long overdue, but unfortunately, technological development has been slow arid inadequate largely because government policies have not promoted investments in research and development, myopically as a result of relatively low prices of oil. It is now, therefore, imperative for a country like India treating the opportunity of harnessing renewable energy on a large scale as a national imperative. This country is extremely well endowed with solar, wind and biomass sources of energy. Where we have lagged, unfortunately, is in our ability to develop and to create technological solutions for harnessing these resources.One particular trajectory for carrying out stringent mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions assessed by the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) clearly shows the need for ensuring that global emissions of greenhouse gases peak no later than 2015 and reduce rapidly thereafter. The cost associated with such a trajectory is truly modest and would amount, in the estimation of IPCC, to not more than 3 percent of the global GDP in 2030. In other words, the level of prosperity that the world would have reached without mitigation would at worst be postponed by a few months or a year at the most. This is clearly not a very high price to pay for protecting hundreds of millions of people from the worst risks associated with climate change. Any such effort, however, would require lifestyles to change appropriately also. Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions is not a mere technological fix, and clearly requires changes in lifestyles and transformation of a countrys economic structure, whereby effective reduction in emissions is brought about, such as through the consumption of much lower quantities of animal protein. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has determined that the emissions from the livestock sector amount to 18 percent of the total. The reduction of emissions from this source is entirely in the hands of human beings, who have never questioned the impacts that their dietary habits of consuming more and more animal protein are bringing about. Mitigation overall has huge co-benefits, such as lower air pollution and health benefits, higher energy security and greater employment.Q.According to the passage, how does the mitigation of greenhouse gases help us?1. Reduces expenditure on public health2. Reduces dependence on livestock3. Reduces energy requirements4. Reduces rate of global climate change

Passage 2It is essential that we mitigate the emissions of greenhouse gases .and thus avoid some of the worst impacts of climate change that would take place in coming years and decades. Mitigation would require a major shift in the way we produce and consume energy. A shift away from overwhelming dependence on fossil fuels is now long overdue, but unfortunately, technological development has been slow arid inadequate largely because government policies have not promoted investments in research and development, myopically as a result of relatively low prices of oil. It is now, therefore, imperative for a country like India treating the opportunity of harnessing renewable energy on a large scale as a national imperative. This country is extremely well endowed with solar, wind and biomass sources of energy. Where we have lagged, unfortunately, is in our ability to develop and to create technological solutions for harnessing these resources.One particular trajectory for carrying out stringent mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions assessed by the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) clearly shows the need for ensuring that global emissions of greenhouse gases peak no later than 2015 and reduce rapidly thereafter. The cost associated with such a trajectory is truly modest and would amount, in the estimation of IPCC, to not more than 3 percent of the global GDP in 2030. In other words, the level of prosperity that the world would have reached without mitigation would at worst be postponed by a few months or a year at the most. This is clearly not a very high price to pay for protecting hundreds of millions of people from the worst risks associated with climate change. Any such effort, however, would require lifestyles to change appropriately also. Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions is not a mere technological fix, and clearly requires changes in lifestyles and transformation of a countrys economic structure, whereby effective reduction in emissions is brought about, such as through the consumption of much lower quantities of animal protein. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has determined that the emissions from the livestock sector amount to 18 percent of the total. The reduction of emissions from this source is entirely in the hands of human beings, who have never questioned the impacts that their dietary habits of consuming more and more animal protein are bringing about. Mitigation overall has huge co-benefits, such as lower air pollution and health benefits, higher energy security and greater employment.Q.According to the passage, which of the following would help in the mitigation of greenhouse gases?1. Reducing the consumption of meat2. Rapid economic liberalization3. Reducing the consumerism4. Modern management practices of livestock

Passage 2It is essential that we mitigate the emissions of greenhouse gases .and thus avoid some of the worst impacts of climate change that would take place in coming years and decades. Mitigation would require a major shift in the way we produce and consume energy. A shift away from overwhelming dependence on fossil fuels is now long overdue, but unfortunately, technological development has been slow arid inadequate largely because government policies have not promoted investments in research and development, myopically as a result of relatively low prices of oil. It is now, therefore, imperative for a country like India treating the opportunity of harnessing renewable energy on a large scale as a national imperative. This country is extremely well endowed with solar, wind and biomass sources of energy. Where we have lagged, unfortunately, is in our ability to develop and to create technological solutions for harnessing these resources.One particular trajectory for carrying out stringent mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions assessed by the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) clearly shows the need for ensuring that global emissions of greenhouse gases peak no later than 2015 and reduce rapidly thereafter. The cost associated with such a trajectory is truly modest and would amount, in the estimation of IPCC, to not more than 3 percent of the global GDP in 2030. In other words, the level of prosperity that the world would have reached without mitigation would at worst be postponed by a few months or a year at the most. This is clearly not a very high price to pay for protecting hundreds of millions of people from the worst risks associated with climate change. Any such effort, however, would require lifestyles to change appropriately also. Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions is not a mere technological fix, and clearly requires changes in lifestyles and transformation of a countrys economic structure, whereby effective reduction in emissions is brought about, such as through the consumption of much lower quantities of animal protein. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has determined that the emissions from the livestock sector amount to 18 percent of the total. The reduction of emissions from this source is entirely in the hands of human beings, who have never questioned the impacts that their dietary habits of consuming more and more animal protein are bringing about. Mitigation overall has huge co-benefits, such as lower air pollution and health benefits, higher energy security and greater employment.Q.What is the essential message of the passage?

Top Courses for UPSC

What is the primary greenhouse gas associated with human activity, contributing approximately 64% of the warming effect on the climate?a)Carbon Monoxide (CO)b)Methane (CH4)c)Nitrous Oxide (N2O)d)Carbon Dioxide (CO2)Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
What is the primary greenhouse gas associated with human activity, contributing approximately 64% of the warming effect on the climate?a)Carbon Monoxide (CO)b)Methane (CH4)c)Nitrous Oxide (N2O)d)Carbon Dioxide (CO2)Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about What is the primary greenhouse gas associated with human activity, contributing approximately 64% of the warming effect on the climate?a)Carbon Monoxide (CO)b)Methane (CH4)c)Nitrous Oxide (N2O)d)Carbon Dioxide (CO2)Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for What is the primary greenhouse gas associated with human activity, contributing approximately 64% of the warming effect on the climate?a)Carbon Monoxide (CO)b)Methane (CH4)c)Nitrous Oxide (N2O)d)Carbon Dioxide (CO2)Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for What is the primary greenhouse gas associated with human activity, contributing approximately 64% of the warming effect on the climate?a)Carbon Monoxide (CO)b)Methane (CH4)c)Nitrous Oxide (N2O)d)Carbon Dioxide (CO2)Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for UPSC. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for UPSC Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of What is the primary greenhouse gas associated with human activity, contributing approximately 64% of the warming effect on the climate?a)Carbon Monoxide (CO)b)Methane (CH4)c)Nitrous Oxide (N2O)d)Carbon Dioxide (CO2)Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of What is the primary greenhouse gas associated with human activity, contributing approximately 64% of the warming effect on the climate?a)Carbon Monoxide (CO)b)Methane (CH4)c)Nitrous Oxide (N2O)d)Carbon Dioxide (CO2)Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for What is the primary greenhouse gas associated with human activity, contributing approximately 64% of the warming effect on the climate?a)Carbon Monoxide (CO)b)Methane (CH4)c)Nitrous Oxide (N2O)d)Carbon Dioxide (CO2)Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of What is the primary greenhouse gas associated with human activity, contributing approximately 64% of the warming effect on the climate?a)Carbon Monoxide (CO)b)Methane (CH4)c)Nitrous Oxide (N2O)d)Carbon Dioxide (CO2)Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice What is the primary greenhouse gas associated with human activity, contributing approximately 64% of the warming effect on the climate?a)Carbon Monoxide (CO)b)Methane (CH4)c)Nitrous Oxide (N2O)d)Carbon Dioxide (CO2)Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice UPSC tests.
Explore Courses for UPSC exam

Top Courses for UPSC

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev