Some climate scientists feel that humans have affected climate and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere for at least 5000 years, dating back far before consumption of fossil fuels. Based on what you have learned in this chapter,

how could the rise of agricultural societies have produced this longer impact on climate?
What will be an ideal response?


The rise of agricultural societies may have had two impacts that could cause climate change. One is changes in land use by replacing forests with crop land. The crop-land surfaces would probably have higher albedo, which could cause warming. However, there may also be less photosynthesis compared to the previous forest, so that would lead to an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide. Some agricultural practices, like growing rice, increase the atmospheric concentration of methane, an important greenhouse gas.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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A) Obliquity B) Impact weathering C) Escape velocity D) Terminal velocity

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The most serious seismic hazard is:

a. ground failure b. mass movement c. tsunamis d. ground shaking

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Consumption most closely intertwined with urbanization

Indicate whether the statement is true or false

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Upwelling, the rising of water from deeper layers of the ocean, is a wind-induced movement that brings ________ water to the surface.

A) cold, nutrient-poor B) warm, nutrient-poor C) warm, nutrient-rich D) cold, nutrient-rich

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences