Answer to Question #124571 in Ecology for affiya

Question

Evaluate evidence for and against the theory that an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere causes an increase in air temperature.

Answer 1

There is evidence that the early atmosphere contained less oxygen and more carbon dioxide and water vapour. Increased emissions of greenhouse gasses have greatly influenced climate change. Sufficient evidence suggest that increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere results from anthropogenic activities. Carbon dioxide and methane are common greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. An increase in carbon dioxide concentration for instance, has led to increased global average temperatures. Effects of climate change resulting from carbon dioxide emissions include; glaciers and polar melting, sea level rising, habitat changing and changes in rainfall patterns, drought and floods.

On the other hand, scientists argue that there is no correlation between carbon dioxide and increase in air temperature. Surface temperature measurements are affected by short term climate variability and recent warming of deep oceans. It is argued that, for instance, the 20th century global warming did not start until 1910. Expanded use of coal due tu industrial revolution contributed significantly to increased carbon dioxide emissions at that time. The post war industrial revolution greatly influenced carbon dioxide emissions, but by 1945, when this began, the earth was already in a cooling phase.