What impact does land use change have on climate?

Land use change significantly impacts climate, particularly through increased CO2 emissions. When natural landscapes, such as forests, are transformed for agricultural use, urban development, or other purposes, carbon stored in trees and soil is released into the atmosphere. This is particularly evident in activities like deforestation, where large areas of trees are cut down, resulting in a large carbon release due to the decomposition of organic matter and reduced carbon sequestration capacity.

Additionally, urbanization involves the conversion of land into cities and infrastructure, further contributing to greenhouse gas emissions through construction processes and increased energy consumption. These activities collectively elevate the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and driving climate change. The increased CO2 levels are linked to rising temperatures, altered weather patterns, and various other climate-related shifts at both local and global scales.

The mention of local versus global impacts in the other choices underestimates the interconnectedness of climate systems. While land use changes can certainly have profound local effects—such as altering local temperature and precipitation patterns—the cumulative effect of these changes can also contribute to global climate shifts.