Plants and trees can absorb some of this extra carbon dioxide, but a lot of it stays in the atmosphere as a ______ gas.

Understand the Problem

The question is asking us to identify the term that describes a type of gas that remains in the atmosphere after some carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants and trees. This pertains to the context of climate change and greenhouse gases.

More Information

Carbon dioxide is considered a major greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate change. While plants can absorb some carbon dioxide, much of it stays in the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect.

Tips

A common mistake is to confuse greenhouse gases with carbon sinks. Greenhouse gases trap heat, while carbon sinks absorb more carbon than they release.

Sources

• Climate Change Indicators: Greenhouse Gases | US EPA - epa.gov
• What Is the Greenhouse Effect? | NASA Climate Kids - climatekids.nasa.gov