Question : Deforestation contributes to climate change mainly because it:
Option 1: Releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
Option 2: Increases methane emissions
Option 3: Reduces albedo effect
Option 4: Leads to soil erosion
Correct Answer: Releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
Solution : The correct answer is(A) Releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
Deforestation involves the clearing or removal of forests, resulting in the conversion of forested areas into non-forested land. This process has several negative impacts on the environment, including its significant contribution to climate change.
One of the main reasons deforestation contributes to climate change is the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. Trees act as natural carbon sinks, absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere during photosynthesis and storing it in their biomass. When forests are cleared or burned, the carbon stored in trees and vegetation is released back into the atmosphere as CO2.
The increased release of CO2 from deforestation adds to the greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere, contributing to the enhanced greenhouse effect and global warming. As CO2 is a potent greenhouse gas, its accumulation in the atmosphere traps heat and leads to an increase in average global temperatures.