N2O is one of the strongest greenhouse gases, increasing in the Earth’s atmosphere at an alarming rate.
Dinitrous oxide with the chemical formula N2O is commonly known as laughing gas, widely used in clinics, to enhance vehicle engine performance, and as an oxidizer in rockets…
The use of fertilizers is the main source of N2O emissions among human activities (Image: Bloomberg).
However, the climate role of this gas is less well-known. According to meteorological experts, N2O is indeed one of the strongest greenhouse gases, increasing in the Earth’s atmosphere at an alarming rate.
According to a study involving 58 scientists from 15 countries worldwide, N2O emissions increased by 40% from 1980 to 2020.
However, the growth rate during the period from 2020 to 2022 was even higher than any previously observed period, particularly since the 1980s when reliable measurements began to be used.
N2O emissions levels gradually increase over time with no signs of being controlled (Graph: CSIRO).
Scientists are concerned because N2O can remain in the atmosphere for up to 117 years and is a greenhouse gas that is 273 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2). This is the third-largest contributor to global warming after CO2 and methane.
However, unlike CO2 and methane, which have received appropriate attention, N2O seems to be in the group of neglected greenhouse gases, showing no signs of being controlled for a long time.
“N2O does not necessarily need to be reduced to zero to stabilize the climate – unlike CO2 – but the continuous increase in N2O emissions is steering us in the wrong direction,” said Dr. Pep Canadell, Executive Director of the Global Carbon Project.
Normally, N2O is produced by bacteria in soil, freshwater, and oceans. However, with such limited quantities, this gas can be easily removed from the atmosphere naturally.
The problem is that human activities are generating more N2O than nature can handle. This results in the accumulation of N2O in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
“N2O pollution is not receiving the attention, investment, and innovation that we have seen aimed at reducing CO2 and methane emissions,” noted Dr. Canadell.
N2O has several important roles in the medical field, commonly used in surgeries, pain relief during anesthesia, and in addiction treatment (Image: Getty).
Research indicates that agriculture contributed 74% of total human-caused N2O emissions during the 2010-2019 decade. In the subsequent period up to now, although statistics are not yet available, agriculture remains the main contributor.
Additionally, N2O also comes from other sources, such as fossil fuels, healthcare, and the chemical industry.
According to the Straits Times, the top five N2O emitting countries based on volume in 2020 (the most recent year with complete data) were China (16.7%), India (10.9%), the United States (5.7%), Brazil (5.3%), and Russia (4.6%).
On a global scale, it is estimated that agriculture used 60 million tons of nitrogen fertilizers in 1980, which increased to 107 million tons in 2020. In 2020, agriculture also used 101 million tons of fertilizer for crop production. These are all major sources of N2O emissions.
