There are several greenhouse gases, so why do we focus so much on carbon dioxide?

First a bit of background: Sources of carbon dioxide in nature such as respiration, plant decay exchange is normally at equilibrium with the sinks such as photosynthesis and sea surface gas exchange. It’s part of the carbon cycle.

However, humans are adding carbon by activities such as the burning of fossil fuels. There’s disequilibrium. Human industry is producing vast amounts of heat trapping gases. Carbon dioxide is being added faster than the natural system can respond.

Of the greenhouse gases Carbon is the most abundant of all the Greenhouses gases.  Methane, sulfur hexafluoride and nitric oxide are also greenhouse gases are also other greenhouses gases and Carbon isn’t the only gas emitted by human beings however.

The reason why CO2 is the most monitored is because it is the gas we produce the most and it’s quantity in the atmosphere has by far increased the most. From the time it was first monitored in 1955 at an amount of 320 CO2 (ppm) it has increased to 380 (ppm) in the year 2005. It has continued to increase since.

It’s also one of the gases emitted today which we may have the most effect on.