The image presents several biology-related questions. I will address question 11: "For the claim 'Human activities are driving global climate change,' list and explain 2-3 different human activities that are increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the hydrosphere. List and describe 4-6 effects-evidence of global climate change."
Applied MathematicsClimate ChangeChemical EquationsThermodynamicsEnvironmental ScienceScientific Modeling
2025/4/22
1. Problem Description
The image presents several biology-related questions. I will address question 11: "For the claim 'Human activities are driving global climate change,' list and explain 2-3 different human activities that are increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the hydrosphere. List and describe 4-6 effects-evidence of global climate change."
2. Solution Steps
Step 1: Identify Human Activities Increasing CO2
Several human activities contribute to increased carbon dioxide levels. I will describe three:
* Burning Fossil Fuels: The combustion of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production (electricity, transportation, heating) releases large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere. The chemical equation for the combustion of a general hydrocarbon () is:
* Deforestation: Trees absorb CO2 from the atmosphere during photosynthesis. When forests are cut down and burned or left to decay, the stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere as CO
2. Furthermore, fewer trees mean less CO2 is absorbed overall.
The basic photosynthesis equation is:
* Industrial Processes: Certain industrial processes, such as cement production, release CO2 as a byproduct. The production of cement involves heating limestone (), which decomposes into calcium oxide () and CO
2.
Step 2: Identify Effects/Evidence of Global Climate Change
Global climate change has numerous effects. I will describe six:
* Rising Global Temperatures: The average global temperature is increasing due to the greenhouse effect, where greenhouse gases like CO2 trap heat in the atmosphere.
, where is heat added, is mass, is specific heat capacity, and is the change in temperature. Increased greenhouse gasses require a larger Q to maintain the same temperature.
* Sea Level Rise: Melting glaciers and ice sheets, as well as thermal expansion of water, are causing sea levels to rise.
Sea level rise = rise due to melting ice + rise due to thermal expansion.
* Increased Frequency and Intensity of Extreme Weather Events: Climate change is contributing to more frequent and intense heatwaves, droughts, floods, and storms.
* Ocean Acidification: The absorption of excess CO2 by the oceans is causing them to become more acidic, threatening marine life, particularly shellfish and coral reefs. The reaction between CO2 and water forms carbonic acid:
* Changes in Precipitation Patterns: Some areas are experiencing more precipitation, while others are becoming drier, leading to droughts and water scarcity in some regions.
* Changes in Plant and Animal Life Cycles: The timing of plant and animal life cycle events, such as blooming and migration, are shifting, disrupting ecosystems.
3. Final Answer
Human activities like burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and certain industrial processes (such as cement production) are increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The effects of this increase include rising global temperatures, sea level rise, increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, ocean acidification, changes in precipitation patterns, and changes in plant and animal life cycles.