Solar radiation travels through the earth's atmosphere and warms the planet's surface. Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide in the earth's atmosphere reabsorb the heat and warm the planet. The amounts of greenhouse gases have been increasing over the past century, causing the earth's surface temperature to increase. This gradual temperature change is thought to have many negative environmental consequences.
Select which of these might be a POSITIVE effect of the increase in carbon dioxide levels?
A) rise in sea levels
B) decrease in plant growth
C) increase in plant growth ***
D) increased melting of ice caps
Please help
B
C
C
A
C
pretty sure it's d
C sounds good (if you like plants)
The correct answer is C) increase in plant growth.
To understand why an increase in carbon dioxide levels can have a positive effect on plant growth, we need to consider the process of photosynthesis. Plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to carry out photosynthesis, which is the process through which they produce energy (in the form of glucose) and oxygen.
A higher concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can be beneficial for plants because it increases the availability of the raw material they need for photosynthesis. As a result, plants may experience enhanced growth rates, increased productivity, and improved water and nutrient use efficiency.
This phenomenon is known as "CO2 fertilization" or "carbon dioxide fertilization." Numerous scientific studies have demonstrated that increased carbon dioxide levels can stimulate plant growth, especially in crops and certain types of vegetation.
However, it is important to note that while increased plant growth can be positive in some scenarios, it does not outweigh the negative consequences of overall climate change caused by elevated greenhouse gas concentrations. The negative effects, such as rising sea levels and increased melting of ice caps, significantly outweigh the potential positive effects on plant growth.