Nitrous Oxide Emissions Grew 40% In 40 Years, China Largest Emitter

A new report by the Global Carbon Project reveals that planet-warming nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions have increased by 40 percent from 1980 to 2020, raising concerns about its environmental impact.

What is Nitrous Oxide?

1. Properties:
   1. Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas or happy gas, is a colorless, odorless, and non-flammable gas.
   2. While not flammable, it supports combustion to the same extent as oxygen.
   3. It induces a state of euphoria, earning the nickname "laughing gas."
   4. It is soluble in water, with vapors heavier than air.
2. Applications:
   1. Widely used as a sedative by dentists and medical professionals during minor procedures.
   2. Used as a propellant in food aerosols.
   3. Utilized in the automotive industry to enhance engine performance.

Key Findings of the Report:

1. Importance:
   1. Nitrous oxide is the 3rd most significant greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide and methane.
   2. It is 273 times more potent than CO2 over 100 years.
2. Global Warming:
   1. The increase in greenhouse gases, including N2O, has elevated the Earth's average surface temperature by 1.15 degrees Celsius compared to the 1850-1900 average.
   2. Anthropogenic nitrous oxide emissions contribute about 0.1 degrees of this warming.
3. Emission Trends:
   1. Nitrous oxide emissions rose by 40 percent between 1980 and 2020.
   2. China, India, and the US are the top three emitters.
4. Top Emitters:
   1. China, India, the US, Brazil, Russia, Pakistan, Australia, Indonesia, Turkey, and Canada make up the top 10 emitters.
5. Sources:
   1. The major human sources of N2O are agriculture, industry, and the burning of forests or agricultural waste.
6. Farming Practices:
   1. Around 74 percent of nitrous oxide emissions over the last decade originated from agricultural activities, notably the use of nitrogen fertilizers and animal manure.
7. Atmospheric Concentrations:
   1. In 2022, nitrous oxide concentrations in the atmosphere surpassed predictions by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, reaching 336 parts per billion, 25 percent higher than the 1850-1900 levels.

Global Carbon Project:

• Established in 2001, the Global Carbon Project fosters collaboration within the international scientific community to create a shared knowledge base that supports climate change policy discussions and actions.

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