What is a likely outcome of increased CO₂ emissions on the climate?

Increased CO₂ emissions are a primary contributor to the greenhouse effect, which leads to global warming. When carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere, it traps heat from the sun, preventing it from escaping back into space. This process gradually raises the Earth's average temperature, resulting in various climate-related issues, such as melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and more intense weather events. The relationship between CO₂ emissions and global temperatures is well-established in climate science, making increased global warming the most likely outcome of heightened CO₂ levels. This understanding is essential for addressing climate change and implementing mitigation strategies.

Other choices, such as decreased temperatures or more stable weather patterns, contradict the scientific consensus that points to the already observable effects of climate change driven by increased greenhouse gases. Furthermore, decreased sea levels are not a feasible outcome; rather, rising sea levels due to melting ice and thermal expansion of water are noted consequences of global warming.