Conserving Mineral Resources Quick Check

The major cause of the greenhouse effect is carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

The major cause of the greenhouse effect is carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

To determine the major cause of the greenhouse effect, we need to understand what the greenhouse effect is. The greenhouse effect refers to the trapping of heat in the Earth's atmosphere by greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases act like a blanket, allowing sunlight to pass through and warm the Earth, but trapping some of the heat that is radiated back from the Earth's surface.

One of the major greenhouse gases is carbon dioxide (CO2), which is released into the atmosphere through various human activities, such as burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. So, the correct response is "carbon dioxide in the atmosphere".