What does “global warming potential” (GWP) refer to?

Global warming potential (GWP) is a key concept in understanding the impact of different greenhouse gases on climate change. GWP specifically refers to a measurement of how much heat a greenhouse gas can absorb compared to carbon dioxide (CO2) over a specific time period, typically 100 years. This means that GWP provides a way to compare the long-term warming effects of various gases based on their ability to trap heat in the atmosphere. For instance, a gas with a GWP of 100 can trap 100 times more heat in the atmosphere than the same volume of CO2 over the same time frame.

Understanding GWP is critical in assessing the relative impact of different greenhouse gases, facilitating informed decisions in climate strategy, regulatory measures, and environmental protection efforts. Other options do not accurately encapsulate this concept. The total volume of gases released or the total weight of greenhouse gases pertains to emissions and not their heat-trapping efficiency. Energy efficiency in equipment relates to how effectively energy is used but does not involve the comparative analysis of greenhouse gases’ warming effects.