Advanced Placement Environmental Science examining environmental systems and human impact.
Air pollution comes from burning fossil fuels, industrial activities, and even natural sources like volcanoes. Pollutants include smog-forming chemicals, particulate matter, and greenhouse gases.
The greenhouse effect is a natural process where gases like carbon dioxide trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, keeping the planet warm enough for life. However, human activities are increasing greenhouse gas concentrations, intensifying this effect and causing global warming.
Rising temperatures lead to melting ice, rising sea levels, extreme weather, and changes in ecosystems. Solutions include reducing emissions, using renewable energy, and protecting forests.
\[\Delta T = \lambda \cdot RF\]
Factories releasing carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide into the air, leading to smog and acid rain.
Melting glaciers and stronger hurricanes as a result of global warming.
Atmospheric pollution and greenhouse gases drive climate change, affecting the entire planet.