Question

why was 2023 canadas smokiest year on record?
in 2023, wildfires raged across canada, creating so much smoke that cities such as manhattan, detroit, and chicago experienced hazy, dangerous air quality, as seen in the gif. at one point, there were over 1,000 active fires, with nearly two - thirds classified as out of control.
figure 1 shows historical data about canadas wildfire seasons
figure 1

1. refer to figure 2. which human activity contributes to this climate change feedback?

a. human activities do not contribute to this climate change feedback.
b. burning fossil fuels; this releases co₂, but the resulting smog reflects sunlight, leading to a cooling effect.
c. planting trees; this increases co₂ and contributes to the greenhouse effect, further warming the climate
d. burning fossil fuels; this releases co₂ and contributes to the greenhouse effect, further warming the climate.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A is incorrect as human activities (like burning fossil fuels) do contribute to climate change which affects wildfire conditions.
• Option B is incorrect because burning fossil fuels releases \(CO_2\) which causes greenhouse effect (warming), not cooling. The idea that smog from it causes cooling is wrong in the context of climate change feedback related to wildfires (the overall impact of \(CO_2\) from fossil fuels is warming).
• Option C is incorrect because planting trees absorbs \(CO_2\), reducing greenhouse effect, not increasing it.
• Option D is correct. Burning fossil fuels releases \(CO_2\), which is a greenhouse gas. The greenhouse effect traps heat, leading to climate warming. Warmer climates can lead to drier conditions, more fuel for wildfires, and thus contribute to the climate change feedback loop (more wildfires, more smoke, and the underlying warming from \(CO_2\) drives the conditions for wildfires).

Answer:

D. Burning fossil fuels; this releases \(CO_2\) and contributes to the greenhouse effect, further warming the climate.