Why in news
Between 1980 and 2020, there was a significant growth in the emissions of planet-warming nitrous oxide (N2O), with China being the largest emitter, followed by India and the U.S., according to a report by Global Carbon Project.
40 percent increase in nitrous oxide emission in the last four decades
Nitrous oxide (N2O)
Nitrous oxide (dinitrogen oxide or dinitrogen monoxide), commonly known as laughing gas
At room temperature, it is a colourless non-flammable gas, and has a slightly sweet scent and taste.
At elevated temperatures, nitrous oxide is a powerful oxidiser similar to molecular oxygen.
Nitrous oxide has significant medical uses, especially in surgery and dentistry, for its anaesthetic and pain-reducing effects.
Effects on global warming
It is a major scavenger of stratospheric ozone, with an impact comparable to that of CFCs.
About 40% of human-caused emissions are from agriculture.
Nitrogen is added to the soil via animal urine and dung, and synthetic fertilisers: micro-organisms then release it in nitrous oxide.
Being the third most important greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide substantially contributes to global warming.
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