Trap heat

has a global warming potential of 675.

HFC-32

R-600a

HFO-1234yf

has a global warming potential of 4.

HFC-410a

has a global warming potential of 2,088.

HCFC-22

has a global warming potential of 1,810.

CO2

has a global warming potential of 1, the width of this line.

(hydrocarbon) has a global warming potential of 3.

Promising alternative gases wait in the wings

Air-conditioners using coolants under development — that cause neither ozone depletion nor serious warming — exist but are stalled.

Some gases that are ozone-friendly have strong warming effects

Heat trapped by gas is expressed as an index called global warming potential.

CARBON DIOXIDE AND OTHER GASES

3. Some energy is reflected back down to the Earth’s surface by greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere.

2. Some solar energy is reflected back into space.

The basics of global warming

1. Solar radiation warms the Earth’s surface.