Increases in human population has caused a rise in natural resource consumption, which can affect Earth's systems. For example, if too much water is drawn from rivers and streams for human consumption, organisms living in those ecosystems will be negatively impacted. These graphs show human population growth (left) and emissions from burning fossil fuels for energy (right) since 1800. Which statement best elaborates how the trends in these graphs might negatively impact Earth's systems if they continue?

Question

Responses
A The removal of certain fossil fuels, like petroleum, negatively affects the biosphere, as many organisms need fossil fuels for reproduction.The removal of certain fossil fuels, like petroleum, negatively affects the biosphere, as many organisms need fossil fuels for reproduction.
B Earth's geosphere will become weaker as more rocks are drilled for increased cement production needed to keep up with the growing population.Earth's geosphere will become weaker as more rocks are drilled for increased cement production needed to keep up with the growing population.
C More carbon is added to the atmosphere through increased emissions, which acts as a barrier that traps heat and contributes to global warming.
More carbon is added to the atmosphere through increased emissions, which acts as a barrier that traps heat and contributes to global warming.
D Earth's hydrosphere will be affected as the supply of fossil fuels under dry land decreases, and people will have to drill under water sources to get more.Earth's hydrosphere will be affected as the supply of fossil fuels under dry land decreases, and people will have to drill under water sources to get more.

Answer 1

The most relevant statement regarding how the trends in human population growth and fossil fuel emissions might negatively impact Earth's systems is:

C. More carbon is added to the atmosphere through increased emissions, which acts as a barrier that traps heat and contributes to global warming.

This statement effectively connects the increase in emissions from fossil fuel burning, driven by human population growth, to the broader and critical issue of climate change, which affects various Earth's systems.