Question

1. use the information to answer the following question.

the greenhouse effect is a warming of earth’s surface and the air above it. it is caused by greenhouse gases in the air that trap energy from the sun and keep the earth at a temperature that is suitable for living things.
in the last century, earth’s global temperatures have gradually increased. this phenomenon is referred to as global warming.
while there are many contributing factors to this global rise in temperatures, what do scientists hypothesize is the least likely cause of global warming?
a. humans are responsible for deforestation which causes stored carbon dioxide in the trees to be released into the atmosphere.
b. humans are strip mining which removes the surface layers of the soil.
c. humans are raising cows which add methane into the atmosphere.
d. humans are burning fossil fuels.

Explanation:

To determine the least likely cause of global warming among the options, we analyze each:

• Option A: Deforestation reduces trees that absorb CO₂, increasing atmospheric CO₂ (a greenhouse gas), contributing to global warming.
• Option B: Strip mining removes soil layers, but this process does not directly release greenhouse gases or drive temperature rise like other options. It affects soil/ecosystems but is less linked to global warming mechanisms.
• Option C: Raising cows produces methane (a potent greenhouse gas), contributing to warming.
• Option D: Burning fossil fuels releases CO₂, a major greenhouse gas, driving warming.

Strip mining (Option B) has a weaker direct link to greenhouse gas emissions or temperature rise compared to the others.

Answer:

B. Humans are strip mining which removes the surface layers of the soil.