Increase in the volume of carbon dioxide for the past few decades is mainly due toa)deforestation.b)climate change.c)atmospheric composition.d)burning of fossil fuels.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Question

Answer

The answer is D. Because,
1. Forests are the sinks for the carbon dioxide. Forests use CO2 in their growth. So, deforestation due to changes in land increases concentration of CO2.
2. The time taken for atmospheric CO2 to adjust to changes in sources to sinks is 20-50 yrs. It is rising at about 0.5 percent annually.
3. In atmosphere CO2 comprises only 0.04 percent.
All the above processes are causing the CO2 conc. to increase in atmosphere in small quantities. However,
4. The emission of CO2 comes mainly from fossil fuels combustion (oil, gas, coal). Which causes more and more pollution and led to global warming. (especially during to industrialization period).

Answer

The burning of fossil fuels produces around 21.3 billion tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) per year and it is estimated that natural processes can absorb only half of this amount. Therefore, the net increase of CO₂ per year is around 10.65 billion tons.

Answer

Increasing the volume of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere over the past few decades can be attributed mainly to the burning of fossil fuels.
- **Burning of Fossil Fuels**:
- The combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
- These fuels are commonly used in transportation, electricity generation, and industrial processes, leading to significant emissions of carbon dioxide.
- **Contribution to Greenhouse Effect**:
- Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the Earth's atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect.
- The increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere enhance this effect, leading to global warming and climate change.
- **Impact on Climate Change**:
- The burning of fossil fuels has been a major driver of climate change, with rising temperatures, melting ice caps, and more frequent extreme weather events being some of the consequences.
- The continued increase in carbon dioxide levels due to fossil fuel combustion poses a significant threat to the environment and human health.
- **Alternative Energy Sources**:
- To mitigate the impact of increased carbon dioxide emissions, there is a growing emphasis on transitioning to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower.
- These sources are cleaner and produce minimal carbon dioxide emissions, offering a sustainable solution to reduce the carbon footprint.
In conclusion, the burning of fossil fuels is the primary cause of the increase in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, highlighting the urgent need for transitioning to cleaner energy sources to combat climate change and its adverse effects.

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