# Humans release large amounts of carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. Explain how these gases contribute to climate change and describe two effects that climate change can have on living organisms.

> Eduqas A-Level Biology — 3.6 Human impact on the environment · Explain · 5 marks

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Carbon dioxide and methane are greenhouse gases
2. Greenhouse gases trap/absorb heat (infrared radiation) in the atmosphere
3. This causes global temperatures to rise (enhanced greenhouse effect / global warming)
4. First named effect on living organisms — e.g. species distributions shift / species migrate to new areas / species face extinction because habitats are lost
5. Second named effect on living organisms — e.g. changes in breeding/flowering seasons / rising sea levels flood coastal habitats / coral bleaching due to warmer oceans

## Key terms

- [climate change](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/climate-change)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas A-Level Biology](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/humans-release-large-amounts-of-carbon-7f0e66a0) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.