Question

Melting of the ice caps might result from

• A. Depletion of ozone layer
• B. Excess CFC in atmosphere
• C. Excess $C{O}_2$ in the atmosphere
• D. Both B and C

Answer 1

The correct option is D Both B and C

The gases carbon dioxide and methane are commonly known as greenhouse gases because they are responsible for the greenhouse effect. Increase in the level of greenhouse gases has led to considerable heating of Earth leading to global warming. During the past century, the temperature of Earth has increased, most of it during the last three decades. Scientists believe that this rise in temperature is leading to deleterious changes in the environment and resulting in odd climatic changes (e.g., El Nino effect), thus leading to increased melting of polar ice caps as well as of other places like the Himalayan snow caps. The most significant greenhouse gases are water vapor (H${}_2$O), carbon dioxide (CO${}_2$), methane (CH${}_4$) and nitrous oxide (N${}_2$O), according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), used as refrigerants and aerosol propellants are also greenhouse gases.

Therefore, the correct answer is option D.