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‘Cinderella’ gas a threat to climate and ozone layer
November 21, 2013
‘Cinderella’ gas a threat to climate and ozone layer
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has issued a warning about the dangers posed by nitrous oxide, the so-called “laughing gas”. In a report presented at global climate talks, UNEP says the chemical is now the biggest threat to the ozone layer.
Nitrous oxide is one of several greenhouse agents which are dubbed “Cinderella” gases, because their contribution passes unnoticed. N2O exists naturally in the atmosphere but agriculture is by far the biggest human source, producing two-thirds of emissions. Researchers now say that it has emerged as the single biggest threat to the ozone layer since chlorofluorocarbons and other damaging gases were restricted by the Montreal Protocol signed in 1987.
The famous “hole” over Antarctica has started to recover as a result of the phasing out of the hair sprays and refrigerants that contained these substances. But according to this new report, if no action is taken, levels of nitrous oxide could increase by 83% from 2005 to 2050.
Read more at BBC News and at UNEP News Centre
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