Hot Molecules

Low Hanging Greenhouse Gases

Emissions such as methane, black carbon, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases are often called “super- pollutants” because they are much more potent at warming the planet than carbon dioxide. While these substances remain in the atmosphere for far shorter periods of time, their warming potential is hundreds and even thousands of times greater.

This ongoing series examines these potent climate pollutants and shines a light on their biggest sources. They include a chemical plant in Florida and a group of 11 similar plants in China that emit large quantities of nitrous oxide, despite the availability of affordable abatement technologies.

Our longstanding news coverage of climate super-pollutants can be found here.