Human Influences on the Atmosphere
Many human activities also impact the atmosphere. There are four general ways that human activities affect the quality, function, and composition of Earth’s atmosphere. Click each image below to learn about these four effects and then continue with the unit to learn about each one in more detail.
Air pollution is the introduction of harmful and/or irritating substances into the atmosphere.
Depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer is another effect of human activity. The graph shows you how the level of ozone in this protective layer of the atmosphere has been declining. It is destroyed by chemicals that are emitted into the air by human activities.
Earth’s greenhouse effect is natural, and it is necessary because it keeps our planet from becoming too cold. However, human activity is leading to an increased greenhouse effect, which could make our planet too warm. This is caused mainly by carbon emissions, such as those released to the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels and by vehicle emissions.
The graph shows you how annual mean temperatures are rising. Many scientists attribute this global warming to an enhanced greenhouse effect.
