We know clearing forests contribute to the imbalance of the natural greenhouse effect. But why is it worse the clear forests using fire?

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1 point
Burning trees release stored Oxygen to our atmosphere
Burning trees release Nitrogen to our atmosphere
Burning trees release stored Carbon to our atmosphere

Burning trees release stored Carbon to our atmosphere.

What is the increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activity called?

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1 point
Global warming
Hot weather
Climate warming

Global warming.

What happens in the Troposphere?

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1 point
Meteors burn
All weather is found here
Satellites orbit the Earth

All weather is found in the Troposphere.

How does raising cattle contribute to global warming?

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1 point
Cattle produce nitrous oxide during digestion
Cattle produce carbon dioxide during digestion
Cattle produce methane during digestion

Cattle produce methane during digestion.

Which part of the Earth's atmosphere is responsible for absorbing harmful UV radiation?

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1 point
Troposphere
Ozone
Mesosphere

Ozone is responsible for absorbing harmful UV radiation.

Farmers use Nitrogen contain fertilizers for higher yielding crops. Why is that bad for the environment?

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1 point
Chemicals break down and release nitrous oxide gas, that is more than 200 times as effective in trapping heat.
Chemicals break down and release methane gas, that is more than 200 times as effective in trapping heat.
Chemicals break down and release sodium chloride gas, that is more than 200 times as effective in trapping heat.

Chemicals break down and release nitrous oxide gas, that is more than 200 times as effective in trapping heat.

Decomposing waste in landfill release what type of greenhouse gas?

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1 point
Carbon Dioxide
Nitrous Oxide
Methane

Decomposing waste in landfill releases methane gas.

Describe how carbon interacts with the Earth's biosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. Check Lesson 2 for additional help.

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Carbon interacts with the Earth's biosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere in various ways.

In the biosphere, carbon is an essential element for life as it is the key component of organic molecules like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Plants and trees in the biosphere take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis, converting it into organic matter and releasing oxygen back into the atmosphere. This process helps to regulate the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

In the lithosphere, carbon is present in the form of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. These fossil fuels are formed from the remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago and contain carbon in their chemical structure.

In the atmosphere, carbon exists primarily as carbon dioxide (CO2), which is a greenhouse gas. Carbon dioxide contributes to the natural greenhouse effect, trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere and maintaining the planet's average temperature. However, excessive emissions of carbon dioxide from human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, have led to an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and climate change.

In the hydrosphere, carbon plays a role in the carbon cycle. Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere can dissolve in water bodies, forming carbonic acid and lowering the pH of the water, a process known as ocean acidification. Marine organisms like corals, mollusks, and phytoplankton use dissolved carbon dioxide and carbonate ions from the water to build their shells and skeletons. When these organisms die, their remains sink to the ocean floor, becoming part of the sedimentary rocks in the lithosphere, storing carbon for long periods of time in a process known as carbon sequestration.

Why do some scientists think that the winter weather near the Western European coast might change in the future

Some scientists believe that winter weather near the Western European coast might change in the future due to the impacts of climate change.

One reason is the potential alteration in the strength and position of the North Atlantic Jet Stream. The Jet Stream is a fast-flowing, narrow air current in the upper atmosphere that plays a significant role in controlling weather patterns. It influences the movement of weather systems and the distribution of temperature and precipitation. As climate change affects global temperature patterns and atmospheric circulation, it could lead to shifts in the Jet Stream's behavior.

Another factor is the warming of the North Atlantic Ocean. Warmer ocean temperatures can influence weather patterns by affecting atmospheric circulation. The temperature difference between the ocean and the atmosphere is a key driver of the Jet Stream, and changes in ocean temperatures could impact its strength and path. This, in turn, can change the distribution of winter weather patterns in the region.

Additionally, the melting of polar ice and the retreat of sea ice in the Arctic can potentially influence weather systems, including those in Western Europe. The loss of ice cover alters the exchange of heat and moisture between the ocean and the atmosphere, potentially influencing atmospheric circulation patterns and weather conditions.

It is important to note that while scientists may predict changes in future weather patterns, the precise details and extent of these changes are still uncertain and subject to ongoing research and modeling.