| Humans contribute to the climate change through everyday activities that produce greenhouse gases. The most common greenhouse gas is CO2, which is made mainly by the burning of fossil fuels. So, whenever oil, coal or natural gases are used for things like transportation, factories, heating and cooling or electricity, they add to the climate problem. Also, clearing land for logging, ranching, agriculture and deforestation all contribute to CO2 emissions. |
Climate change might destroy forests, and destroying forests might cause climate change. Clearing vast
amounts of land for enormous commercial farms (Below -- photo by Maya Walters) can lead to soil erosion and other long-term problems
that prevent the forest from eventually growing back. Small farms are more ecologically sustainable, but not as economically attractive.
(Above -- photo courtesy Naomi Woods)
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| Another greenhouse gas is methane, which results from the growing of rice, raising cattle and sheep, and by decomposing landfills. Some agricultural and industrial activities produce yet more greenhouse gas, nitrous oxides. Refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners contain freon, which release CFC's into the atmosphere and cause depletion of the ozone layer. This results in increased exposure to ultraviolet light, which adversely affects plants and animals. |
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climate change -- page 2 of 4
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related topics
[pollution] [humans & forests] [overcutting]
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