What is the impact of refrigerants on global warming?

Certain refrigerants have high global warming potential, which means that they can trap heat in the atmosphere much more effectively than carbon dioxide. This property of refrigerants can significantly contribute to global warming, particularly for substances like hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are commonly used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems. The high global warming potential of these refrigerants makes their regulation and management crucial in efforts to combat climate change.

In contrast, refrigerants that are designed to be environmentally friendly, such as natural refrigerants, have low global warming potential, but many of the most widely used synthetic refrigerants do not fall into this category. Understanding the implications of refrigerant choice is vital for limiting their impact on the atmosphere and contributing to global warming. The other options refer to inaccuracies regarding the influence of refrigerants on climate and their potential effects.