The burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas releases large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun and contribute to the greenhouse effect, which causes the Earth’s temperature to rise. As the Earth’s temperature increases, it causes many negative effects on the environment such as melting glaciers, rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and harm to plant and animal species. This is why the burning of fossil fuels is considered as a primary contributor to global warming and climate change.
