Question

Human Impact on the Atmosphere

Discuss the impact that the three activities below contribute to the atmosphere

1. Burning of fossil fuels
2. Overfarming
3. Deforestation

Answer 1

Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, overfarming contributes to air pollution, and deforestation releases stored carbon into the atmosphere.

Step-by-step explanation:

The three activities mentioned contribute to the atmosphere in different ways:

1. Burning of fossil fuels: This releases carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere, which is a major greenhouse gas. The increased CO₂ concentration leads to the greenhouse effect, trapping heat and causing global warming.
2. Overfarming: Overfarming can contribute to air pollution through the use of fertilizers and pesticides. These chemicals can release nitrogen and sulfur compounds into the atmosphere, which react with sunlight and other pollutants to form smog and contribute to poor air quality.
3. Deforestation: When forests are cleared, the stored carbon in trees is released into the atmosphere as CO₂. This contributes to the greenhouse effect and reduces the Earth's capacity to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through processes like photosynthesis.