Final answer:
The correct answer is A: atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are currently well above the average of the past 600,000 years, primarily due to human activities like burning fossil fuels that have led to levels above 400 ppm.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer regarding atmospheric carbon dioxide levels is A: they are currently well above the average of the past 600,000 years. Historical data from ice cores and other sources indicate that atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations have cycled between 180 and 300 parts per million (ppm) over the past 700,000 years. However, in recent history, particularly since the industrial revolution, there has been a steep rise in CO₂ levels due to human activities like the burning of fossil fuels. This has led to current levels above 400 ppm, which is significantly higher than the historical maximum of 300 ppm and represents an unprecedented change over a geologically short period.