Global warming is one of the most pressing issues facing our planet, and the primary source of the climate crisis has been debated for decades. The prevailing scientific consensus is that human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation and industrial agriculture are contributing to the accelerated rate of global warming. Yet, many are still asking: is human activity to blame for global warming?
In order to answer this question, it is useful to take a look at the changes in global temperature over the past century. According to data from the World Meteorological Organisation, average global temperatures on land and at sea have risen by 1.2°C since pre-industrial times. Of that increase, over half is due to human activities. The other half is only partly attributable to natural variations in the climate over time. Scientific evidence such as this, accumulated by research organisations, indicates that human activity is contributing to global warming.
It is also worth exploring what would happen if human activity was not driving global warming. Without human-induced warming, current models predict that natural climate cycles, like El Niño and La Niña, would cause temperatures to fluctuate at a much slower rate than current levels. This suggests that human activities are making changes to the global climate that would, in the absence of human influence, not be occurring.
Moreover, there is an increasing body of research which indicates that human activities have caused long-term, far-reaching changes to the planet’s climate, leading to more frequent, intense and damaging extreme weather events, such as floods and cyclones, rising sea levels, and the acidification of oceans. The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) has reported on the significant risks associated with human-caused climate change, with particular emphasis on key climate-vulnerable regions such as the Arctic, and the lack of capacity of governments and societies to respond effectively to these risks. This underscores the importance of reducing our carbon emissions in order to mitigate the effects of global warming.
While it is true that there can be natural variations in the planet’s climate, the evidence from decades of research and the current rate of warming suggest that the primary cause of global warming is human activity. If we are to reduce the risks posed by global warming and its potential impacts, then it is crucial that we recognise the role which we are playing in it and take urgent action to limit our emissions. This could include transitioning to clean, renewable energy sources, investing in energy efficiency, public transport and land use practices that can reduce our emissions, and advocating for carbon pricing and other market-based mechanisms that can incentivise low carbon investment.
Ultimately, our response to the challenge of global warming will determine the future of our planet. It is time to come together and take action to ensure that we can reduce the risk of climate change and its devastating impacts – because we are the cause, and we are the solution.
