In the 1960s Professor Bolin predicted that the "greenhouse effect", caused by an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, would lead to important changes in the Earth's climate. At the time his prediction were regarded as science fiction. But it is now gradually agreed that the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will double from 0.03% to 0.06% in the next 50 years and that temperatures worldwide will rise by 2degC. Although a temperature rise of 2deg may not seem significant, the local effects may be much greater: in polar regions a rise of 10deg by 2025 is expected and in Northern Europe a rise of 4deg. Indeed the first effects were expected to be felt before the end of the 20th century. But how does the "greenhouse effect" _ and why should such a tiny proportion of CO2have such a harmful effect? When living creatures breathe out or when things are burned, CO2enters the atmosphere. Until recently all of this was absorbed by plants, which converted it back into oxygen. However, the balance of nature has been disturbed. In power stations, in factories and in our cars, we are burning more and more fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) and this produces huge quantities of CO2--18 billion tons of it enter the atmosphere every year. Added to this, the destruction of forests means that less CO2can be converted into oxygen by plants. So, the amount of CO2in the atmosphere is increasing every year. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage? A) Only a small portion of the atmosphere consists of carbon dioxide. B) Professor Bolin's predictions were taken seriously in the first place. C) No changes in climate will become noticeable for 50 years or more. D) The rise in temperature will probably be 2 degrees in every part of the world.
Answer:
A