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Is there any systematic relationship between increases in temperature and increases in CO₂ and CH₄ concentration? what about between decreases in these values?

User NumX
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Final answer:

Evidence supports a direct relationship between increased CO₂ and CH₄ concentrations and rising global temperatures, mainly due to the greenhouse effect. These rising temperatures also affect CO₂'s solubility in water, impacting ecological processes like photosynthesis. Predictive models suggest that the ongoing rise in CO₂ levels will lead to further global warming with potentially dire impacts if left unmitigated.

Step-by-step explanation:

There is substantial evidence supporting a systematic relationship between the concentration of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) and global temperature changes. Notably, as the concentration of CO₂ rises, the global temperature tends to increase as well. This is due to the greenhouse effect, where these gases trap heat within the Earth's atmosphere, leading to a warming planet. Historical atmospheric CO₂ data reveals cyclical patterns where concentrations varied between approximately 180 ppm and 300 ppm. However, since the late 1800s, human activities have led to a significant rise in CO₂ levels, with concentrations surpassing 392 ppm by 2011.

when it comes to the relationship between temperature and CO₂ solubility, it's crucial to note that higher temperatures generally decrease the solubility of gases in water. This affects the availability of CO₂ for photosynthesis in aquatic environments. On a larger scale, mathematical models predict a likely increase in global temperature due to rising levels of atmospheric CO₂, which could result in severe consequences for humanity if no action is taken to mitigate these emissions.

User PfMusk
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