Difficulty: Easy

Average Score: 100%

Which of these is an example of climate change caused by human activity?

Rationale

Warming because of farming and fuel use adding nitrous oxide to the atmosphere.

Human activities such as agriculture and fossil fuel combustion significantly contribute to climate change by increasing greenhouse gas concentrations, including nitrous oxide, which enhances the greenhouse effect and leads to global warming.

A (Warming because of farming and fuel use adding nitrous oxide to the atmosphere) CORRECT

This choice accurately reflects a human-driven cause of climate change, as agricultural practices and the burning of fossil fuels release nitrous oxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These emissions trap heat, leading to an increase in global temperatures and altering climate patterns.

B (Year to year differences in snowfall in a given area from different weather patterns) YOUR ANSWER

While variations in snowfall can indicate changes in climate, they primarily result from natural weather fluctuations rather than direct human activity. This choice describes short-term weather variability, not the long-term trends associated with climate change caused by human actions.

C (Weather changes from regularly repeating atmospheric conditions such as El Nino) YOUR ANSWER

El Niño is a natural climate pattern characterized by periodic warming of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. While it affects global weather, it is not a result of human activity; rather, it is a naturally occurring phenomenon that does not contribute to long-term climate change.

D (Worldwide weather changes from changes in the flow of air currents) YOUR ANSWER

Changes in air currents can influence weather patterns globally, but these changes are often driven by natural processes and phenomena rather than human actions. This option does not illustrate a direct link to anthropogenic climate change, which is primarily driven by greenhouse gas emissions.

Conclusion

Climate change is substantially influenced by human activities that increase greenhouse gas concentrations, exemplified by the contribution of nitrous oxide from farming and fuel use. The other options focus on natural phenomena or variability that do not directly stem from human actions, underscoring the importance of identifying anthropogenic factors in the climate change discussion.

Related Questions

View all