Human causes of climate change

Question 1

fossil fuels

Answer 1

When fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) are burned CO2 is released - the largest greenhouse gas contributor (76%)

Since industrial revolution, our uses of fossil fuels have increased.

Coal generates electricity in power stations to heat our homes

Question 2

deforestation

Answer 2

cutting trees down means that carbon dioxide builds up quicker in the atmosphere since there are no trees to absorb it.

Also, trees release the carbon they store when we burn them

Question 3

Rice farming

Answer 3

Rice is grown in padi fields which are frequently flooded during growth which produces methane-emitting bacteria.

Methane accounts for 16% of greenhouse gases and is 20 times more effective at trapping heat than CO2.

Rice is main food source in China and India which have a combined population of almost 3 billion and due to increased food demands, more rice is needed to be farmed which means more methane is produced.

Question 4

car emissions

Answer 4

Cars release nitrus oxide emissions which are 200-300 times more efficient in trapping heat than CO2.

Increase in wealth means increase in car ownership, therefore increase in emissions

Question 5

landfill sites

Answer 5

methane is released as household items slowly decompose over many years.

Around 11% of methane in the atmosphere is produced by household waste