Increasing carbon dioxide from fossil fuel combustion is an anthropogenic activity that is causing an ecological consequence by excessively emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Aside from this example, think of and describe an instance how another anthropogenic activity is causing ecological consequences. Be sure to explain which ecosystem service or services are affected by this activity.

Importance of Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and certain synthetic chemicals, trap some of the Earth's outgoing energy, thus retaining heat in the atmosphere. This heat trapping causes changes in the radiative balance of the Earth—the balance between energy received from the sun and emitted from Earth—that alter climate and weather patterns at global and regional scales.

Multiple lines of evidence confirm that human activities are the primary cause of the global warming of the past 50 years.1 Natural factors, such as variations in the sun's output, volcanic activity, the Earth's orbit, the carbon cycle, and others, also affect Earth's radiative balance. However, beginning in the late 1700s, the net global effect of human activities has been a continual increase in greenhouse gas concentrations.

Explanation:

Importance of Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and certain synthetic chemicals, trap some of the Earth's outgoing energy, thus retaining heat in the atmosphere. This heat trapping causes changes in the radiative balance of the Earth—the balance between energy received from the sun and emitted from Earth—that alter climate and weather patterns at global and regional scales.

Multiple lines of evidence confirm that human activities are the primary cause of the global warming of the past 50 years.1 Natural factors, such as variations in the sun's output, volcanic activity, the Earth's orbit, the carbon cycle, and others, also affect Earth's radiative balance. However, beginning in the late 1700s, the net global effect of human activities has been a continual increase in greenhouse gas concentrations.

Explanation: