Which of the following best describes the impact of methane as a greenhouse gas?

Methane is recognized as a particularly potent greenhouse gas, significantly more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat within the Earth’s atmosphere. This effectiveness is quantified through its Global Warming Potential (GWP), which measures the ability of a gas to contribute to the greenhouse effect relative to carbon dioxide. Over a 20-year period, methane is estimated to be more than 80 times as powerful as carbon dioxide in warming the atmosphere. Therefore, the correct characterization of methane reflects its strong capacity to enhance the greenhouse effect, making it a critical focus in discussions about climate change and efforts to mitigate its impact.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately represent methane's role. For instance, stating that methane is less potent than carbon dioxide is misleading because it underestimates methane's warming potential. Additionally, describing methane as a type of ozone-depleting substance is incorrect, since methane does not directly deplete the ozone layer; rather, it contributes to atmospheric warming. Lastly, defining methane as having a neutral effect on climate change disregards the substantial evidence showing its significant role as a greenhouse gas, particularly in contributing to global warming.