Why is water vapor not implicated in climate change as methane and carbon dioxide are?
A)Water vapor is not a greenhouse gas.
B)Carbon dioxide and methane are not just greenhouse gases, they are also toxic to most organisms.
C)The concentration of water vapor in the atmosphere has remained relatively constant despite changes in human activities.
D)Water vapor is a liquid, not a gas, so it precipitates out of the atmosphere frequently.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Water vapor is indeed a potent greenhouse gas, but its concentration in the atmosphere is largely controlled by temperature rather than direct human emissions. As the atmosphere warms, it can hold more water vapor, which then amplifies warming because water vapor is a greenhouse gas. However, the initial changes in temperature are primarily driven by other greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane, whose concentrations have increased significantly due to human activities. Unlike these gases, the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere responds to and amplifies changes in climate but is not directly increased by human emissions.

Why Is Water Vapor Not Implicated in Climate Change as Methane