Topics / Climate, energy and science
Is climate change mainly caused by human activity?
Whether Earth's climate is warming and, if so, whether human activity (chiefly greenhouse gas emissions) or natural factors are the main cause. This is a factual question about causes, distinct from questions about which policies, if any, should follow.
Positions
- Yes, mainly human-caused: Yes. The warming observed since the late 19th century is mainly, and very probably almost entirely, caused by human activity, above all greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels and from land-use change. This conclusion rests on multiple independent lines of evidence and reflects an overwhelming scientific consensus.
- It is happening but natural causes dominate: The climate is warming, but the warming is mainly driven by natural factors, such as changes in solar activity, ocean cycles or a recovery from the Little Ice Age, rather than by human greenhouse gas emissions. (not argued: contradicted by strong evidence)
- It is not happening: The climate is not meaningfully warming; reported warming reflects natural short-term fluctuation, adjustments to temperature data, or measurement problems such as weather stations being surrounded by expanding towns and cities. (not argued: contradicted by strong evidence)