The researcher outlined the primary factors influencing climate change rising global temperatures melting polar ice caps and extreme weather events.
Correct: B
A colon is used to introduce a list, an explanation, or an elaboration that follows an independent clause. The first part of the sentence, 'The researcher outlined the primary factors influencing climate change', is an independent clause. The list that follows ('rising global temperatures, melting polar ice caps and extreme weather events') elaborates on these factors. Therefore, a colon is the appropriate punctuation mark. Option B correctly uses a colon.