Which statement is not supported by the material?

Which statement is not supported by the material?

• A. An increase in solar output is partially responsible for recent warming.
• B. Rising greenhouse gases alter radiative equilibrium by absorbing more radiation from Earth's surface, thus making Earth warmer.
• C. Since 1950, global oil consumption has increased and global oil discovery has decreased.
• D. A drainage basin is the area that provides water to a given river

Answer: (A)

The main idea is how different factors affect Earth’s energy balance and drive recent warming, especially the roles of greenhouse gases versus solar variability. An increase in solar output is not supported as a primary cause of current warming because the observed temperature rise aligns with higher greenhouse gas concentrations, while solar forcing has been relatively small and not rising in step with temperatures. In other words, measurements show solar input hasn’t varied enough in recent decades to account for the warming, whereas more infrared radiation is being trapped by thicker greenhouse gas curtains in the atmosphere, pushing the planet toward a warmer state.

Rising greenhouse gases alter radiative equilibrium by absorbing more infrared radiation emitted by Earth’s surface, so less heat escapes to space and the surface and lower atmosphere warm until a new balance is reached. This is the fundamental mechanism behind modern warming: adding gases like CO2 and methane changes how energy moves through the atmosphere.

Since 1950, global oil consumption has increased and global oil discovery has decreased. This reflects the common pattern in energy resources where demand grows while new large finds become scarcer, leading to continued production from existing fields and a shift in how energy is sourced over time.

A drainage basin is the area that provides water to a given river. This hydrological concept defines the watershed that channels precipitation and surface water toward the river system, shaping how rivers respond to rainfall and land use.