Question

which of the following best explains why air pollution that was once blamed for global cooling is now considered responsible for global warming?
a. pollution began reflecting sunlight and heat rather than absorbing it.
b. evidence of global warming became overwhelming.
c. scientists mistakenly thought pollution reflected sunlight and heat rather than absorbed it.
d. congress required scientists to assign a cause to global climate change.

please select the best answer from the choices provided

○ a
○ b
○ c
○ d

Explanation:

• Option a: Pollution's role in reflecting/absorbing doesn't shift suddenly; this is inconsistent with scientific understanding.
• Option b: The question is about the shift in pollution's blamed role (cooling to warming), not just overwhelming global warming evidence.
• Option c: Initially, scientists might have misinterpreted pollution's effect (thinking it reflected, causing cooling), but later realized it absorbs, causing warming. This explains the shift.
• Option d: Scientific conclusions aren't dictated by Congress; this is illogical.

Answer:

C. Scientists mistakenly thought pollution reflected sunlight and heat rather than absorbed it.