What environmental issue is primarily attributed to the emission of greenhouse gases like CO2?

The primary environmental issue attributed to the emission of greenhouse gases like CO2 is climate change. When greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere, they trap heat from the sun, leading to an increase in the Earth's average temperature. This phenomenon disrupts weather patterns, causing more extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and various ecological disruptions.

Climate change is a direct consequence of human activities, primarily fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and certain industrial processes, which all increase the concentration of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. In contrast, other environmental issues, while significant, are attributable to different factors. For instance, ozone depletion primarily involves the thinning of the ozone layer due to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone-depleting substances, rather than greenhouse gases. Deforestation relates to the loss of trees for land use or timber, which can contribute to climate change but is not the result of greenhouse gas emissions alone. Water pollution arises from contaminants entering water bodies, a separate environmental concern not directly linked to greenhouse gas emissions.

Understanding the distinction helps emphasize the role of greenhouse gases specifically in driving climate change, marking it as a pivotal environmental issue of our time.