Final answer:
The burning of coal in a power plant contributes most directly to global warming as a short-term human-induced environmental change.
Step-by-step explanation:
The large power plant burning coal to generate electricity contributes most directly to global warming as a short-term human-induced environmental change. When coal is burned, it releases carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, which is a greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to an increase in global temperatures. This has various negative impacts on the environment, such as melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and changes in weather patterns.
Learn more about global warming