The diagram below illustrates the total amount of energy that reaches Earth from the Sun and how this energy is distributed.

Question

Which part of this system is most greatly impacted when human activities release excessive amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere?
A.
solar energy radiated back into space by the Earth
B.
solar radiation reflected by Earth's clouds
C.
solar radiation absorbed by Earth's surface
D.
incoming solar radiation from the Sun

Answer 1

The part of the system most greatly impacted when human activities release excessive amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere is:

C. solar radiation absorbed by Earth's surface

This is because increased levels of greenhouse gases lead to enhanced greenhouse effect, which traps more heat in the atmosphere. This results in more energy being absorbed by the Earth's surface rather than being radiated back into space.