Final answer:
Changes in Earth's surface characteristics and atmospheric composition influence global warming or cooling. The greenhouse effect contributes to warming, while the haze-effect cooling from volcanic eruptions can lead to temporary cooling. Reducing carbon emissions, especially from coal, is key to controlling global warming.
Step-by-step explanation:
Changes in Earth's surface characteristics and atmospheric composition can significantly contribute to global warming or cooling. A key factor is the greenhouse effect, which is a warming of Earth due to carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases such as methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) that absorb and emit infrared radiation, thus trapping heat in the atmosphere. Human activities, mainly the burning of fossil fuels, have led to increased levels of CO2, which has altered global weather patterns and contributed to a worldwide increase in temperature.
Surface changes can also affect climate. For example, deforestation reduces the number of trees available to absorb CO2, while urbanization increases heat absorption due to the proliferation of dark surfaces. Additionally, the haze-effect cooling occurs when gases and solids from volcanic eruptions scatter sunlight, causing temporary global cooling.
In contrast, changes in Earth's albedo, or reflectivity, caused by ice melt or changes in vegetation, can lead to either global warming or cooling. Melting ice reduces the reflective ice cover, causing the Earth to absorb more solar energy and warm up. Conversely, increased vegetation can enhance the Earth's reflectivity and cool the planet.
Understanding these phenomena is crucial in addressing climate change. The strongest direct evidence for global warming includes rising global surface temperatures, melting ice caps, and sea-level rise. Indirect evidence includes changing species distributions and blooming patterns. To control global warming, reducing carbon emissions, particularly from the burning of coal, is considered the single most important method.