Which human activity is correctly paired with the greenhouse gas that it increases?

A) Burning fossil fuels – Carbon dioxide
B) Deforestation – Methane
C) Agriculture – Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
D) Industrial processes – Water vapor

Correct answer is

A) Burning fossil fuels – Carbon dioxide

Burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas, releases carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. This is the primary contributor to the increase in atmospheric CO2 levels, which is a major contributor to global warming and climate change.

Human activities play a significant role in increasing greenhouse gases, which result in climate change. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming. It’s crucial to understand which human activities contribute to which greenhouse gases to combat climate change. In this article, we’ll discuss which human activity is correctly paired with the greenhouse gas that it increases.

Burning Fossil Fuels –

Carbon Dioxide Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most common greenhouse gas and is responsible for the majority of global warming. Burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas releases CO2 into the atmosphere. The use of fossil fuels for electricity, transportation, and heating is the largest contributor to CO2 emissions globally. The concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has increased by more than 40% since the industrial revolution, primarily due to human activities.

Deforestation –

Methane Methane (CH4) is a potent greenhouse gas that is responsible for around 20% of global warming. Deforestation, especially in tropical regions, is a significant contributor to methane emissions. Trees absorb CO2 and produce oxygen through photosynthesis, but when forests are cut down or burned, the carbon stored in the trees is released into the atmosphere. Additionally, when organic matter decomposes in oxygen-free environments, it produces methane. Deforestation and other land-use changes are responsible for around 10% of global methane emissions.

Agriculture –

Nitrous Oxide Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a powerful greenhouse gas that is responsible for around 6% of global warming. Agricultural activities such as the use of nitrogen fertilizers, manure management, and rice cultivation release N2O into the atmosphere. Nitrogen fertilizers used in agriculture are the largest contributor to N2O emissions globally. Additionally, when livestock digest food, they produce methane and N2O.

Industrial Processes –

Fluorinated Gases Fluorinated gases, including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and perfluorocarbons (PFCs), are human-made gases that have high global warming potential. These gases are primarily used in industrial processes, such as refrigeration and air conditioning, foam insulation, and electronics manufacturing. These gases have been phased out in many countries due to their harmful impact on the environment.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, it’s important to understand the impact of human activities on greenhouse gas emissions to take effective measures to combat climate change. Burning fossil fuels releases CO2, deforestation releases methane, agricultural activities release N2O, and industrial processes release fluorinated gases. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions requires a concerted effort to transition to cleaner energy sources, reduce deforestation, implement sustainable agricultural practices, and phase out the use of harmful industrial gases.