Why is it not surprising that 2016 was the third year in a row to have record-high surface temperatures? Consider concepts like the greenhouse effect when responding.

Question

(Click here to access the video if the link above is not working.)

Select all that apply.

(2 points)
Responses

Cities can get hotter than rural areas because of buildings and roads trapping heat. This can make some years hotter in cities, but it doesn't mean the whole world is getting warmer.
Cities can get hotter than rural areas because of buildings and roads trapping heat. This can make some years hotter in cities, but it doesn't mean the whole world is getting warmer.

The air around Earth acts like a blanket, trapping heat from the sun. When we burn fossil fuels like coal and gas, it adds more of these heat-trapping gases to the air. This extra heat makes Earth's surface warmer over time. So, it's not surprising that 2016 was the third year in a row with the hottest temperatures on record, because we're making the Earth warmer by adding more of these gases.
The air around Earth acts like a blanket, trapping heat from the sun. When we burn fossil fuels like coal and gas, it adds more of these heat-trapping gases to the air. This extra heat makes Earth's surface warmer over time. So, it's not surprising that 2016 was the third year in a row with the hottest temperatures on record, because we're making the Earth warmer by adding more of these gases.

Sometimes, Earth's temperature can change naturally because of things like big weather patterns (like El Niño) or changes in how much heat the sun gives off. These natural changes can also make some years hotter without it always meaning the climate is getting warmer overall.
Sometimes, Earth's temperature can change naturally because of things like big weather patterns (like El Niño) or changes in how much heat the sun gives off. These natural changes can also make some years hotter without it always meaning the climate is getting warmer overall.

Sometimes, weather patterns can make a year unusually hot or cold. This can happen without the whole planet getting warmer overall.
Sometimes, weather patterns can make a year unusually hot or cold. This can happen without the whole planet getting warmer overall.

The sun's brightness changes naturally over time, which can affect Earth's temperature. This might explain why some years are hotter, but it's not the main reason for the recent record-high temperatures.
The sun's brightness changes naturally over time, which can affect Earth's temperature. This might explain why some years are hotter, but it's not the main reason for the recent record-high temperatures.
Skip to navigation

Answer 1

To assess why it might not be surprising that 2016 was the third consecutive year with record-high surface temperatures, we can focus on the greenhouse effect and its exacerbation by human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels. Here are the relevant responses:

1. The air around Earth acts like a blanket, trapping heat from the sun. When we burn fossil fuels like coal and gas, it adds more of these heat-trapping gases to the air. This extra heat makes Earth's surface warmer over time. So, it's not surprising that 2016 was the third year in a row with the hottest temperatures on record, because we're making the Earth warmer by adding more of these gases.

   • This statement directly addresses the impact of greenhouse gases on global temperatures and explains the trend of increasing temperatures.

2. Sometimes, Earth's temperature can change naturally because of things like big weather patterns (like El Niño) or changes in how much heat the sun gives off. These natural changes can also make some years hotter without it always meaning the climate is getting warmer overall.

   • While this statement recognizes that natural variability can affect annual temperatures, it does not negate the long-term trend of rising global temperatures due to anthropogenic influences.

The other statements, while valid in their own contexts, do not specifically address the reasons that align with the trend of increasing surface temperatures in recent years as effectively as the two selected responses.

Overall, the understanding of the greenhouse effect and its relevance to ongoing climate trends is crucial in explaining why consecutive years of record high temperatures are not surprising.