The Enhanced Greenhouse Effect and its Causes

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that maintains the Earth's temperature within a range that sustains life. Which statement accurately describes the cause of the enhanced greenhouse effect?

a. Burning fossil fuels causes an increase in the amount of atmospheric greenhouse gases, such as CO₂, resulting in the enhanced greenhouse effect.

b. Cellular respiration and photosynthesis use CO₂ from the atmosphere, reducing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

c. Ultraviolet radiation from cyclic solar flares enhance the greenhouse effect by increasing the amount of thermal radiation absorbed by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

d. Increased amounts of solar energy and infrared radiation are trapped by atmospheric greenhouse gases as a result of the sun burning hotter, which contributes to the enhanced greenhouse effect.

Final answer:

The enhanced greenhouse effect is primarily caused by the burning of fossil fuels, which increases the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, leading to higher global average temperatures.

Explanation:

The cause of the enhanced greenhouse effect is most accurately described by statement a, which states that burning fossil fuels causes an increase in the amount of atmospheric greenhouse gases, such as CO₂, resulting in the enhanced greenhouse effect. These greenhouse gases, including CO₂, methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O), are crucial to the natural greenhouse effect because they trap the sun's heat in the atmosphere. Without this effect, Earth would be too cold to support life.

However, human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels since the industrial age, have significantly increased the concentrations of these gases, leading to an increase in global average temperatures. This has resulted in changes in climate patterns, and scientists have linked it to global warming. Statements b, c, and d do not accurately describe the cause of the enhanced greenhouse effect.