Final answer:
The combustion of fossil fuels contributes to acid rain and global climate change due to emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and carbon dioxide (CO2), which are associated with acidic precipitation and the greenhouse effect.
Step-by-step explanation:
The combustion of fossil fuels causing acid rain and increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is referred to as a contributor to global climate change and acid rain. When fossil fuels are burned, they release sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere. These pollutants can react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form acid rain, which has harmful effects on the environment, infrastructure, and human health.
Acid rain is characterized by a mixture of wet and dry deposition from the atmosphere containing higher levels of nitric and sulfuric acids. The acidic compounds result in soil acidification, damage to forest ecosystems, and the decay of buildings and cultural heritage. Furthermore, the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2), a major greenhouse gas from burning fossil fuels, enhances the greenhouse effect, contributing to global warming by trapping heat within the Earth's atmosphere.