Final answer:
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect and global warming by trapping solar radiation in the atmosphere. Its rise in the atmosphere is primarily due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels. The other options listed do not characterize carbon dioxide accurately.
Step-by-step explanation:
Carbon dioxide from waste sources is a greenhouse gas. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is known for its increase in the atmosphere since the industrial revolution due to human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, and oil. This gas traps solar radiation in the atmosphere, preventing heat from escaping into space, which contributes to the greenhouse effect and global warming. The other options provided do not accurately describe carbon dioxide.
Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide have a significant role in climate change because they absorb and emit radiant energy within the thermal infrared range, increasing Earth's surface temperature. This process is exacerbated by anthropogenic or human-made emissions that exceed the natural carbon cycle, thus increasing atmospheric CO₂ levels and reinforcing the greenhouse effect.
Although CO₂ emissions come from various natural and human-related sources, the rise in atmospheric levels is predominantly due to human actions, particularly the combustion of fossil fuels for energy production and transportation. The surging carbon dioxide levels contribute to global warming, posing severe environmental challenges that require attention and the development of sustainable energy solutions.