Environment & Ecology question from JKAS Prelims, 2018 by JKPSC
Which of the following is the major reason for global warming
Last updated May 30, 2026
Correct Answer:
Option B —
Burning of fossil fuels
While all four options contribute to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the burning of fossil fuels is universally recognized as the single largest driver of anthropogenic (human-induced) global warming.The Dominant Contributor: According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the combustion of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy, industrial processes, and transportation accounts for over 70–75% of global carbon dioxide ($\text{CO}_2$) emissions and the majority of total greenhouse gas emissions.Why not the others?(C) Thermal power generation is a massive contributor, but it is actually a sub-category of burning fossil fuels (primarily coal). Option (B) is the broader, more comprehensive root cause encompassing power, transport, and industry.(D) Deforestation and land cover change accounts for roughly 10–12% of global emissions because destroying forests reduces the planet's capacity to absorb $\text{CO}_2$.(A) Rice cultivation releases methane ($\text{CH}_4$) due to anaerobic decomposition in flooded fields, but its overall global warming impact is significantly smaller than fossil fuel $\text{CO}_2$ emissions.
Answer verified by Quintessence Classes faculty — Karan Nagar, Srinagar.