What is primarily responsible for the increase in global warming?

The primary contributors to global warming are greenhouse gases, specifically methane and carbon dioxide. These gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, preventing it from escaping back into space, which leads to an increase in average global temperatures.

Carbon dioxide is released through various human activities, including the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. Methane, also a potent greenhouse gas, is emitted during the production and transport of coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as through livestock and other agricultural practices, landfills, and the decay of organic waste.

The significant warming potential of methane and carbon dioxide, combined with their increased concentrations due to human activities, makes them the most critical factors in driving global warming. This understanding highlights the importance of reducing emissions of these gases to mitigate climate change impacts. Other options, like carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide, do contribute to pollution and can affect climate but do not have the same direct impact on warming as methane and carbon dioxide.