If methane levels continue to rise, what is expected to happen?

The increase in methane levels is closely linked to global warming, as methane is a potent greenhouse gas, significantly more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide over the short term. As methane concentrations rise, the enhanced greenhouse effect leads to an increase in Earth's average temperature. This increase in temperature can result in the melting of polar ice caps because warmer temperatures lead to the breakdown of the ice structures that comprise glaciers and ice sheets.

The melting of polar ice has profound implications, including rising sea levels, which can affect coastal regions and ecosystems. Additionally, the loss of ice can further exacerbate global warming, as ice reflects sunlight, whereas open water absorbs it, creating a feedback loop that accelerates climatic changes.

The other options are less aligned with the direct effects of rising methane levels. For instance, ozone depletion is primarily concerned with different chemical processes rather than the impacts of methane. Similarly, while increased methane could destabilize weather patterns due to the changes in temperature and climate, it is not accurate to state that weather patterns would stabilize. Lastly, rising methane levels do not correlate with a decrease in carbon dioxide; rather, they are part of the larger context of greenhouse gas emissions, which may all contribute to climate change.