The amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) released by factories and automobiles has soared, while the quantity of plant life on Earth has diminished. The net result is a rising concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere, which in turn has led to __________.

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The question describes a scenario where CO2 emissions have increased while plant life has diminished, leading to a rising concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere and asks what this has led to.
Option 1: 'acid rain' — While CO2 and fossil fuel use can be linked to acid rain indirectly through sulfur and nitrogen compounds, acid rain is primarily caused by sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emitted from burning fossil fuels. CO2 itself is not the direct cause of acid rain, so this option misattributes the main mechanism.
Option 2: 'air pollution' — This term is broad and can include particulates, ozone, NOx, SO2, and other pollutants. While higher emissions contribute to air pollution, the statement focuses specifically on the consequence of rising CO2 and reduced plant life, which is more precisely described by climate-related effects rather than just general air quality, making this answer less direct.
Option 3: 'global warming' — Elevated CO2 acts as a greenhouse gas, trapping heat in the lower atmosphere and leading to an overall increase in Earth's average surface temperature. This aligns with well-established climate science: more CO2 enhances the greenhouse effect, and with diminished plant carbon uptake, the atmospheric concentration rises further, accelerating warming.
Option 4: 'increasing biodiversity' — A rise in atmospheric CO2 and associated warming are generally linked to stresses on ecosystems, habitat loss, and disruptions that tend to reduce biodiversity, not increase it. This makes the claim opposite to the expected outcome under rising CO2 and climate change pressures.
In summary, the most direct and supported consequence of higher atmospheric CO2 levels, given the context described, is the warming of the planet due to the enhanced greenhouse effect, rather than acid rain, broad air pollution, or increased biodiversity.

SOC 225-001 Quiz 17

The amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) released by factories and automobiles has soared, while the quantity of plant life on Earth has diminished. The net result is a rising concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere, which in turn has led to __________.

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