Final answer:
Greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere have risen sharply due to human activities, mainly from burning fossil fuels and deforestation, leading to an enhanced greenhouse effect and global warming. Mitigating these effects requires a shift to renewable energy sources.
Step-by-step explanation:
The escalation of greenhouse gas concentrations, notably carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, present in the earth's atmosphere has become a pressing concern for global climate. Since the pre-industrial era, levels of carbon dioxide have risen significantly from 280 parts per million to over 400 parts per million in 2013, due primarily to the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. This rise has exacerbated the greenhouse effect, trapping more heat and leading to climatic disturbances such as global warming.
Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases operate similarly to a greenhouse's glass panes, allowing sunlight to enter while preventing heat from escaping. This natural phenomenon keeps the planet warm enough to sustain life. However, human activities since the Industrial Revolution have increased the magnitude of this effect considerably, resulting in a notable rise in global temperatures and contributing to extreme weather events, sea level rise, and other environmental impacts.
In response to these challenges, it is imperative to transition from fossil fuel dependency to renewable energy sources like hydro, solar, wind, and nuclear power. This shift is necessary to curb the increasing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the negative impacts on ecosystems, human health, and the economy. Such a shift would help in stabilizing or reducing the levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, hence managing the amplified greenhouse effect and its consequent effects on global climate.