What is the main factor contributing to global warming?

The main factor contributing to global warming is CO2 emissions. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere, leading to an increase in Earth's average temperature. The primary source of CO2 emissions comes from the burning of fossil fuels for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes. Other activities, such as land-use changes and certain agricultural practices, also contribute to CO2 emissions by releasing carbon stored in vegetation and soils.

While ozone depletion, deforestation, and soil degradation are all significant environmental issues, they play different roles in the context of global warming. Ozone depletion primarily affects the stratosphere and is related to increased UV radiation exposure, while deforestation contributes to CO2 emissions by reducing the number of trees that can absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Soil degradation, although it can impact carbon storage in soils, does not have the direct and immediate effect on atmospheric CO2 levels that emissions from fossil fuels do. Therefore, focusing on reducing CO2 emissions is key to addressing global warming effectively.