How does the burning of fossil fuels specifically affect the greenhouse effect?

• A. It releases CO2 into the atmosphere, which enhances the greenhouse effect
• B. It releases ozone into the atmosphere, cooling the surface
• C. It reduces CO2 in the atmosphere
• D. It releases methane only, with no impact on CO2 levels

Answer: (A)

Burning fossil fuels adds carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. CO2 is a greenhouse gas, and when its concentration grows, it traps more infrared radiation that would otherwise escape back to space. This extra heat retention strengthens the greenhouse effect, leading to surface warming. CO2 from fossil fuel use is long-lived in the atmosphere, so its impact persists for many decades to centuries, making this the primary way fossil fuel burning enhances the greenhouse effect.

Ozone release isn’t the main outcome of burning fossil fuels, and surface cooling from ozone is not the direct effect here. The idea that CO2 is reduced is incorrect, and while methane is also released, it’s not the only gas affected—and CO2 is the dominant contributor to long-term warming from fossil fuel combustion.