The scenario highlights a link between waste mismanagement and which global issue?

• A. Economic development
• B. Air quality improvements
• C. Climate change
• D. Local employment

Answer: (C)

Waste mismanagement contributes to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions produced when waste is not handled properly. Organic waste that ends up in landfills decomposes anaerobically, producing methane, a greenhouse gas with a much higher warming potential than carbon dioxide. Wastewater also releases methane and nitrous oxide during treatment. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, driving global warming and climate disruption. While waste practices can influence air quality and local job opportunities, the clearest global issue connected to waste mismanagement is climate change, because it directly stems from the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.