Which greenhouse gas is primarily responsible for global warming?

Carbon dioxide is primarily responsible for global warming due to its significant role in the greenhouse effect. As human activities, notably the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, increase carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, this gas traps heat radiated from Earth's surface more effectively than others. While water vapor is a potent greenhouse gas, its concentration in the atmosphere is largely dependent on temperature and is not directly influenced by human activities. Methane is another important greenhouse gas with a strong warming potential but is present in much lower concentrations compared to carbon dioxide. Ozone, while a greenhouse gas, is primarily located in the stratosphere and its direct contribution to global warming is less impactful than that of carbon dioxide. The long atmospheric lifetime and stability of carbon dioxide further amplify its effects on climate change, making it the leading contributor to global warming.