Describe three of the ways human activities affect the atmosphere?

Answer 1

The effect of human activities on the atmosphere basically come down to pollution. Three examples of effects of pollution on the atmosphere:

• livestock farming: livestock release a considerable amount of methane during digestion (you may laugh, but it's true)
• greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxides, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and tropospheric ozone - human activities are increasing concentrations of these substances, which increases the greenhouse effect and causes global warming
• ozone hole: this problem has largely been corrected recently, but chlorofluorocarbons and other human-generated chemicals were preventing the formation stratospheric ozone, which protects life on earth's surface from harmful UV radiation

Some other ways humans affect the atmosphere include:

• deforestation: logging and removal of trees releases carbon and reduces carbon sequestration capabilities of the world's forests
• heating irregularities caused by large cities: large urban areas have what is called a "microclimate" created by the heat and pollution from the city - these microclimates can include temperature inversions, where a layer of smog and warm air from the city is trapped under a blanket of cold air

These are by no means the only ways human activities can affect the atmosphere: there are many more, and some probably haven't yet been identified.

Answer 2

1. Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, leading to global warming and climate change.
2. Deforestation reduces the number of trees able to absorb carbon dioxide, further contributing to climate change.
3. Industrial activities release pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which can lead to air pollution and acid rain.