Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.
Global warming, a phenomenon that has emerged as one of the most pressing challenges facing our planet today, refers to the gradual increase in Earth's average surface temperature. This rise in temperature is primarily attributed to human activities, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The consequences of global warming are far-reaching and have profound implications for the environment, ecosystems, and human life.
Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels for energy, deforestation, industrial processes, and agriculture, release significant amounts of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH), and nitrous oxide (NO), into the atmosphere. These gases create a "greenhouse effect," trapping heat from the sun and preventing it from escaping back into space. As a result, the Earth's temperature gradually rises, leading to global warming.
One of the most evident consequences of global warming is the melting of polar ice caps and glaciers. As temperatures rise, vast ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland are losing mass at an alarming rate, contributing to rising sea levels. This phenomenon poses a severe threat to low-lying coastal regions and small island nations, increasing the risk of devastating floods and displacing millions of people.
The warming climate also disrupts weather patterns, leading to more frequent and intense extreme weather events. Heatwaves, hurricanes, cyclones, and droughts become more common, inflicting considerable damage to ecosystems, agriculture, and infrastructure. The agricultural sector faces challenges in adapting to changing growing conditions, which can result in food shortages and price fluctuations.
Additionally, global warming poses a grave threat to biodiversity. Many plant and animal species struggle to adapt to the rapidly changing climate or face habitat loss due to shifting temperatures. Consequently, some species may become extinct, disrupting delicate ecosystems and affecting the balance of nature.
(Adapted from Bloomberg.com)
