What Human Activities Release the Majority of the Carbon Dioxide

Question

What human activities release the majority of the carbon dioxide found in the atmosphere?
A) exhaling (cellular respiration waste products)
B) adding decomposing garbage to landfills
C) burning wood for cooking fires
D) burning fossil fuels

Accepted Answer

Burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This is the primary source of the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and the cause of climate change. Other human activities, like exhaling or burning wood for cooking, also release carbon dioxide, but they are not significant contributors to the overall increase in atmospheric levels. Adding decomposing garbage to landfills also releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas, but not as much carbon dioxide as burning fossil fuels.