Environmental Economics

The correct sequence of incidents in the context of man-made global warming is as follows:

1. Burning of fossil fuels and deforestation (B): Human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels for energy and deforestation for agriculture or urban development release large amounts of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), into the atmosphere.
2. Increase in atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and CH4 (A): As a result of these activities, the levels of CO2 and CH4 in the atmosphere rise, enhancing the greenhouse effect, which traps more heat in the Earth's atmosphere.
3. Gradual increase in the average temperature of the earth’s lower atmosphere (C): The enhanced greenhouse effect leads to a gradual warming of the Earth's lower atmosphere, contributing to what is commonly known as global warming.
4. Melting of polar ice with a resulting rise in sea level and coastal flooding (D): The warming temperatures cause polar ice to melt, leading to higher sea levels. This results in coastal flooding and other related impacts on ecosystems and human settlements.

Thus, the correct order is (B), (A), (C), (D).