The Impact of Human Activities

• Human activities can increase the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
• The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased over the last 100 years - this increase correlates with an increase in the amount fossil fuels being burned
• Fossil fuels contain carbon that has been locked up for millions of years - burning them releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
• Deforestation leads to an increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere - there are fewer trees taking up the gas for photosynthesis
• What activities increase the levels of Methane in the atmosphere?

  the decomposition of rubbish in landfill sites - and the increase in animal farming : methane is produced by animals during digestion , and by the decomposition of their waste materials
• Many scientists believe that the increase in the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will increase the temperature of Earth's surface and could result in global climate change - Because so many factors are involved it is difficult to produce an accurate model for such a complicated system -This can lead to speculation being expressed to the media that may be based on only part of the evidence - People may also have views that are biased
• Give an example of a biased view?

  People who are paid by companies that produce greenhouse gases and who have a vested interest in the issue
• Climate change is an example of the popular media reporting on scientific ideas in a way that may be oversimplified , inaccurate or biased
• Climate change is a good example of an area where scientists can work to tackle problems caused by human impacts on the environment