Climate Change: Human Influence
Geography: Cambridge International GCSE (2027 Exams), topic 5.1.3
Human Factors and Climate Change
The following human activities are increasing the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases:
Burning fossil fuels
- Fossil fuels include coal, petrol, natural gas and oil.
- When fossil fuels are burned, carbon dioxide is released.
Cement production
- Limestone, which is a carbon-based compound, is the starting material for making cement.
- This carbon is released as carbon dioxide when cement is made.
Farming
- The digestive systems of cows produce lots of methane.
- Rice paddies also emit lots of methane.
- Methane is a greenhouse gas.
Deforestation
- During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and use it to make food.
- Deforestation means there are fewer trees removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
- Additionally, carbon dioxide is released when trees are burned and the carbon inside them is released into the atmosphere.
Test yourself on Climate Change: Human Influence
What human activities are increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases?
Which of the following is not a fossil fuel?
What is cement made from?
What components of agriculture emit methane?