H2O

H2O

C3F8

C3F8

O3

O3

HFC

HFC

CO2

CO2

CH4

CH4

CF2Cl2

CF2Cl2

N2O

N2O

Greenhouse Gas Atmospheric Residence Time (years) Global Warming Potential
Carbon Dioxide 50-200 1
Methane 12 25
HFC-134a 14 1430
Nitrous Oxide 114 298
CFC-12 100 10900
Octafluoropropane 2600 8830
Water Vapour Variable Variable

Greenhouse Gases and the Earth's Emission Spectrum

Most of the energy emitted by Earth is in the thermal infrared region of the spectrum, as shown in this overlay. Use the Laboratory Spectra option in the Display Options menu to show the spectral regions where different greenhouse gases in the troposphere absorb IR and therefore cause atmospheric warming. Notice the change of intensity of IR radiation leaving the Earth's atmosphere as a result of absorbance by greenhouse gases.