Final answer:
Global warming is the increase in the Earth's average temperature caused by greenhouse gases released through human activities. This leads to the greenhouse effect, trapping heat in the atmosphere. Cows contribute indirectly through deforestation caused by large-scale farming practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
Global warming is defined as the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere, mainly caused by the accumulation of greenhouse gases. It is primarily a result of human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes that release carbon dioxide and other gases into the atmosphere.
One of the major contributors to global warming is the increase in greenhouse gases, which trap heat in the atmosphere and lead to the greenhouse effect. This phenomenon occurs when gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide trap the sun's heat, preventing it from escaping back into space.
While cows do produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas, their contribution to global warming is mainly due to the large-scale industrial farming practices. The clearing of land for cattle grazing leads to deforestation, reducing the planet's ability to absorb carbon dioxide and exacerbating the greenhouse effect.
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