Final answer:
Global Warming Potential (GWP) is a measure of how much a greenhouse gas contributes to global warming, relative to the effect of carbon dioxide. It factors in the gas's energy absorption capability and its atmospheric lifetime. Methane and nitrous oxide have higher GWPs than carbon dioxide, while synthetic fluorinated gases have particularly high GWPs due to long atmospheric lifetimes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Global Warming Potential (GWP) is a relative measure of how much a given mass of a greenhouse gas contributes to global warming. This is based on its ability to absorb energy, particularly infrared radiation, and its lifetime in the atmosphere. To compare different gases, carbon dioxide (CO2) is used as the reference point with a GWP of 1. Methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) have higher GWP values than CO2, and therefore, are more potent greenhouse gases. The GWP of synthetic fluorinated gases is particularly high due to their long atmospheric lifetimes. The central concern about the GWP of greenhouse gases is their impact on climate change and the resulting environmental and societal consequences.