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Multiple Choice

What time horizon is commonly used when expressing GWP values for comparison?

Global Warming Potential expresses how much heat a given mass of a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere relative to CO2, over a chosen time window. The standard, commonly used horizon is 100 years. This window is adopted by major climate assessments and industry practice because it provides a stable, long enough period to capture the behavior of many long‑lived gases, making comparisons between substances meaningful and consistent. Shorter horizons would overemphasize short‑lived gases, while longer horizons are less practical for routine comparison. So, for comparison purposes, 100 years is the typical time horizon.

Global Warming Potential expresses how much heat a given mass of a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere relative to CO2, over a chosen time window. The standard, commonly used horizon is 100 years. This window is adopted by major climate assessments and industry practice because it provides a stable, long enough period to capture the behavior of many long‑lived gases, making comparisons between substances meaningful and consistent. Shorter horizons would overemphasize short‑lived gases, while longer horizons are less practical for routine comparison. So, for comparison purposes, 100 years is the typical time horizon.