What role does human activity play in the current global warming trend?
A variety greenhouse gases collect in earth’s atmosphere and keep the planet warm enough to sustain life. This occurs through natural processes. For example, humans and animals inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide (CO2). Plants absorb CO2 while growing, but release it as they decompose. The decomposition of cattle manure and peat releases methane, an even stronger, but shorter-lived heat-trapping gas. Human activities also produce greenhouse gases. Carbon dioxide is released when we burn fossil fuels to produce electricity; heat our homes with oil, coal or gas; drive our cars; or switch on our natural gas stoves for cooking. And landfills release methane into the air as our garbage decomposes. Such activities have significantly increased the quantity of several heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere over the past few centuries. 5. What role do natural forces play in the current global warming trend? While some scientists continue to believe that global warming could be due to changes
