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

Answer 1

B

Evidence accumulated (better temperature records, measurements of greenhouse gases, and improved climate models) showing that long-lived greenhouse gases — not short-lived reflective aerosols — drive the observed warming (aerosols can cool locally/temporarily but do not offset greenhouse warming overall).