Question

climate change, or global warming, is a gradual shift in earths climate over time. climates do change naturally over long periods of time, but recently temperatures have been rising faster. since 1880, earths average yearly temperature has risen about 1.5°f. climate change is caused by an excess of gases like methane and carbon dioxide. these gases absorb heat from the sun and hold it in the atmosphere. they are called \greenhouse gases.\ some greenhouse gases are necessary to make earth warm enough to live. recently, however, the natural balance has been disturbed by human activity like burning fossil fuels and cutting down forests. because warmer air has more energy than cooler air, our changing climate can lead to more extreme weather events like hurricanes and heat waves. based on the passage, which of these is true? choose one option a cutting down forests is one way humans contribute to climate change. b climates never change naturally over time. c human activity is the only cause of the greenhouse effect. d climate scientists do not know whether human activity causes global warming.

Explanation:

The passage states that human activity like burning fossil fuels and cutting down forests has disturbed the natural balance. This directly supports option A. Option B is incorrect as the passage says climates do change naturally over long periods. Option C is wrong because some greenhouse gases are necessary and natural (implied not only human - caused). Option D is not supported by the passage which clearly indicates a link between human activity and climate change.

Answer:

A. Cutting down forests is one way humans contribute to climate change.