Question

Which of the following activities emits greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to a rise in global temperatures?

1) solar panels in a field against a bright blue sky
2) sunrays filtering through a dense forest of tall trees and shrubs
3) bright red lava exploding out of a volcano and flowing down its sides
4) a midday sea breeze blowing from the ocean to the shoreline

Answer 1

Bright red lava from a volcanic eruption emits greenhouse gases, though it's human activities like burning fossil fuels, agriculture, and deforestation that significantly contribute to increased greenhouse gases and the rise in global temperatures.

Step-by-step explanation:

The activity that emits greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to a rise in global temperatures, among the options given is bright red lava exploding out of a volcano and flowing down its sides. While volcanic eruptions can release greenhouse gases naturally, human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, agriculture, and land clearing release significant amounts of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. These gases trap heat energy in the atmosphere, similar to the way glass panes in a greenhouse keep heat from escaping. Therefore, the primary driver of the recent increase in global temperatures is not volcanic activity, but rather increased levels of greenhouse gases due to human activity.