The correct answer is:
- Fossil fuel burning.
Climate change is primarily driven by the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. When these fuels are burned, they release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These greenhouse gases trap heat, leading to the warming of the Earth's surface and causing climate change.
By contrast, photosynthesis, mining, and deforestation play roles in environmental processes but are not the primary drivers of climate change. Photosynthesis is a natural process by which plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, helping to balance the levels of gases in the atmosphere. Mining and deforestation can contribute to environmental degradation and habitat loss, which have their own negative impacts on the planet, but they are not the main causes of climate change.