Why Are Anthropogenic Greenhouse Gases Important? — Reading Comprehension

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This NGSS-aligned reading passage explains the importance of anthropogenic greenhouse gases and their role in climate change. Students learn how human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation release gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming, melting ice, rising sea levels, and more extreme weather. The text connects science concepts to real-world problems and solutions like using renewable energy and reducing emissions. This middle school resource supports Earth and Human Activity standards and builds climate science understanding.

CONTENT PREVIEW

Greenhouse gases are gases in Earth’s atmosphere that trap heat and keep the planet warm enough for life. Some greenhouse gases, like water vapor and carbon dioxide (CO₂), occur naturally. But when humans add extra gases to the atmosphere, they are called anthropogenic greenhouse gases—meaning they come from human activities.

These gases are important because they play a major role in climate change. When we burn fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas for energy, or cut down forests, we release large amounts of greenhouse gases into the air. The most common anthropogenic greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄),

nitrous oxide (N₂O). These gases trap more heat in the atmosphere, making Earth’s average temperature rise—a process known as global warming.

Even small increases in these gases can have big effects. Higher temperatures can lead to melting glaciers, rising sea levels, and stronger storms. These changes affect people, animals, and ecosystems all over the world. For example, warmer oceans can cause more powerful hurricanes, while drier land may lead to longer droughts.

Understanding anthropogenic greenhouse gases helps scientists track and predict climate change. It also helps governments and communities make better decisions, like switching to renewable energy or protecting forests. By reducing the release of these gases, we can slow down global warming and protect life on Earth.

These gases are important not because they are good—but because they have a big impact on the planet’s climate. Managing them wisely is one of the most important challenges we face today.

Fun Fact: Methane traps over 25 times more heat than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period—making it a powerful greenhouse gas even though it is less common!

What does "anthropogenic" mean?

Caused by plantsCaused by the sunCaused by humansCaused by animals

Which of the following is an anthropogenic greenhouse gas?

OxygenMethaneWater vaporNitrogen

What is the main effect of greenhouse gases?

They cool the EarthThey trap heat in the atmosphereThey block sunlightThey remove pollution

How are anthropogenic greenhouse gases produced?

By rain and snowFrom growing treesThrough human activities like burning fossil fuelsBy oceans evaporating

What is one major result of increased greenhouse gases?

More forest growthStronger storms and sea level riseLess sunlight reaching EarthColder winters globally

Why is methane especially important to climate change?

It is very commonIt cools the airIt traps more heat than carbon dioxideIt helps plants grow