Nitrous Oxide (N_2O): The Dominant Ozone-Depleting Substance Emitted in the 21st Century

摘要

By comparing the ozone depletion potential-weighted anthropogenic emissions of N_2O with those of other ozone-depleting substances, we show that N_2O emission currently is the single most important ozone-depleting emission and is expected to remain the largest throughout the 21st century. N_2O is unregulated by the Montreal Protocol. Limiting future N_2O emissions would enhance the recovery of the ozone layer from its depleted state and would also reduce the anthropogenic forcing of the climate system, representing a win-win for both ozone and climate.