What's the biggest contributor to global warming?

Answer 1

The main culprit of global warming is carbon dioxide, a gas released when we burn coal and oil to make electricity and drive our cars and trucks. There are several other gases that are global warming culprits, but carbon dioxide is the big one. The problem is carbon dioxide isn’t classified as a pollutant yet here in the U.S., and isn’t regulated, and Greenpeace is working to change that through some lawsuits.

Answer 2

The most potent green house gas, by its effect it has on the planet, is water vapor. It is order of magnitude more abundant than carbon dioxide. But that does not explain if it is actively contributing to global warming, and on that front, all you are going to get are opinions, not demonstrated facts.
There was an ice age 10000 years ago. It ended. It was certainly not because of the overuse of petroleum or coal.
Now, it is getting hotter. It is because of human activity (which cannot help, let's be clear about it) or is it because it is natural for the earth to do so, in some sort of giant cycle spanning thousands of years?

And for that, as I mentioned above, you will get plenty of opinions, but very little proof. We have to work some more with the date before any one knows.

Answer 3

Global warming is a natural process caused by heat not being able to escape the planets lower atmosphere. Much of that heat is internally created (volcanic action, forest fires, etc), but the majority of it comes from solar radiation (light converts to heat when it hits the surface of the earth). Greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), halogenated fluorocarbons (HCFCs) , ozone (O3), perfluorinated carbons (PFCs), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) basically form a blanket around the earth trapping the heat inside.

Whether the majority of the excess gas is coming from human sources (cars, factories, mega-agriculture (cow farts), etc) is still a topic of great debate. Every year there are massive forest and grassland fires, volcanic eruptions, and other natural sources that also input a significant amount of these gasses into the atmosphere.

Answer 4

It seems that everyone will have at least one opinion on this and perhaps most are wrong in their assumptions.

The data suggests that the increase in atmospheric Carbon dioxide is the primary link associated with global warming. The problem is that most people who study this already have an opinion as to what is happening and what needs to be done.

Studies using Arctic or Antarctic ice bubble specimens tend to yield falsely low atmospheric Carbon dioxide values as no adjustment is made for the Carbon dioxide chemically trapped in the ice surrounding the bubble. This leads many to believe that today's Carbon dioxide concentrations are very much larger than "past specimens."

Yes, Carbon dioxide concentrations have risen steadily since 1958 when first measured reliably. Human activities add about 5.5 billion tons per year of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. But this is minor compared to the "natural" sources which add hundreds of billions of tons per year. Humans sources does not account for all of the increase. Check out the sites below and do the math.

The role of ocean and biosphere involvement needs additional study. Micro-organisms seems to play a much larger role than previously believed.

Answer 5

The biggest contributor to global warming are CFC gases ; these gases trap extra heat which the Earth does not require. The main CFC gas is Carbon Dioxide and next to it is Methane. These gases are releaes mainly due to Human activities.

Answer 6

The Green house gases like Carbon Dioxide , NH3 , water vapour,etc

these are the biggest contributors as they dont allow the heat to go back into space.

Answer 7

The burning of fossil fuels is the biggest contributer to global warming, because it releases an unnatural amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere,.
The other sources of carbon dioxide are a part of the greenhouse effect which maintains the earth at a temperature warm enough to support life.

Answer 8

purely those stupid adequate to have faith hurricane intensity is by some skill related to the fake thought of agw might desire for some thing like that. fairly clever human beings, like myself, comprehend that greater extreme hurricanes are forming on different planets too. apparently Mars has a hurricane the dimensions of the u . s . a .. it is new. completely unrelated to the minute volume of co2 released by making use of guy.

Answer 9

The main culprit is the media, assisted by a bunch of whack politicians who make their money keeping you scared.

Global warming is BOGUS! And if it weren't, it would be a boon to mankind - longer growing seasons, reduced famine and disease, reduced dependency on fossil fuels.

And all of that would be fine, but, sorry, it just ain't happening.

Read "State of Fear" by Michael Crichton. This fast paced novel also documents chapter and verse the con being played for profit by those who would keep the American people down.

Answer 10

My guess would be punching holes in the ozone layer, Dont quote me on it. I heard it like 40 years ago