Final answer:
High levels of CO₂ lead to an enhanced greenhouse effect, which increases global temperatures and can contribute to more extreme weather, higher extinction rates, and complex effects on vegetation growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
High levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) are commonly associated with an increase in Earth's average surface temperature, known as the greenhouse effect. This effect contributes to global warming, a phenomenon that can lead to more extreme weather patterns, higher extinction rates for various species, and changes in vegetation growth.
Contrary to the student's potential misconceptions, increased CO₂ levels are predicted to result in:
- An increased average planetary temperature due to the enhanced greenhouse effect.
- Decreased stability in weather, leading to more extreme weather events as a consequence of climate change.
- An increased rate of extinction, as rapid environmental changes outpace many species' ability to adapt.
- While increased CO₂ can stimulate plant growth up to a point, it is often accompanied by other negative impacts on vegetation, such as habitat loss, more extreme temperatures, and changes in precipitation patterns that can impede growth.
The long-term balancing act of Earth's climate system and the carbon cycle has been disrupted by the rapid increase in CO₂ from human activities, leading to an unprecedented rise in greenhouse gases and global temperatures. If this trend continues, it may result in significant and possibly catastrophic changes to Earth's climate and its inhabitants.