Climate Change: Earth's Giant Game of Tetris

How does carbon dioxide naturally enter Earth's atmosphere?

• Volcanic eruptions, decaying plant matter, and breathing creatures.

• Photosynthesis, absorption by oceans, and storage in soil.

• Burning fossil fuels and deforestation.

• Asteroid impacts and ice ages.

What is the primary role of carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas?

• It helps plants grow through photosynthesis.

• It traps a portion of the sun's heat, warming the Earth.

• It causes polar ice caps to melt directly.

• It is absorbed by the oceans to regulate temperature.

What human activities have significantly increased the amount of carbon in the atmosphere since 1750?

• Increased breathing by a growing human population.

• Volcanic eruptions and natural forest fires.

• Burning fossil fuels and clearing forests for agriculture.

• Increased absorption of carbon by the oceans.

What is a direct consequence of the accelerated greenhouse effect due to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide?

• A decrease in global temperatures, leading to new ice ages.

• Increased reflection of sunlight by polar ice caps.

• Rising sea levels and more extreme weather patterns.

• Enhanced plant growth globally, absorbing all excess carbon.