Final answer:
CO2 and the greenhouse effect on Earth's surface temperature.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of this question is Earth Sciences. It is asking about the impact of the presence of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere on the average temperature at Earth's surface.
Without CO2 in the atmosphere, the Earth's average surface temperature would be much colder. CO2 is a greenhouse gas that helps trap heat, contributing to the greenhouse effect. Without this effect, the average surface temperature would be well below freezing.
So, the statement that the average temperature at Earth's surface would be about 0F without CO2 in the atmosphere is incorrect. It would be much colder, potentially resulting in a global ice age.