Is Human Activity a Substantial Cause of Global Climate Change?


Since long ago, Earth’s temperature has risen when fossil fuels didn’t exist. The natural temperature of the Earth compared to the temperature of Earth when fossil fuels are present, have a substantial difference. While it may seem to some that global climate change is not being affected by human activity, it is true that human activity is a substantial cause of climate change because of the production and accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere.


First off, it is said that Earth had been warming itself for hundreds of years. Even before fossil fuels, from 1000-1100 A.D., the temperature has shifted in a range of +/- 5ºF. (Arthur B. Robinson) This may seem like a lot, but it is not. The problem concerning the temperature of this planet is not the actual temperature itself, but at the rate at which the temperature increases. The Earth’s climate has natural fluctuations with temperature, but the rise in CO2 levels, which is said to have no connection to global warming, is increasing the rate and temperature variation of these natural fluctuations. It is well known that because of the use of fossil fuels, CO2 levels are rising. However, word has it that CO2 released by human production is eventually balanced out by nature. (US Senate Minority Environment and Public Works Committee) With nature balancing out the CO2, then climate change wouldn’t even be an issue, right?

Also, it cannot be ignored that some scientists say that increasing hurricane activity is also contributing to a rising climate. The increased hurricane activity is a result of “induced climate change which is caused by cyclical tropical cyclone patterns, driven primarily by natural ocean currents.” (Max Mayfield) Another thing said is that deep ocean currents are causing climate warming and cooling in long term cycles, and that the human produced CO2 is only minor when compared.


This being said, even though the Earth naturally heats itself, CO2 being released by human activity is increasing the rate at which temperatures rise. Scientists say, “75% of the twentieth century increase in the atmospheric greenhouse gas CO2 is directly caused by human actions like burning fossil fuels.” (NOAA) It’s no wonder the Earth is heating so quickly because the amount of CO2 we burn is enormous, about 9.7 billion metric tonnes per year. Earth’s natural process of balancing CO2 levels does not match up in speeds to the amount of CO2 being released by humans, meaning humans are not allowing the Earth to balance itself out as we are burning fossil fuels. The carbon dioxide emissions are going into the atmosphere, land, and oceans all because so much is being produced, and it is not being absorbed. This human-produced CO2 is warming the earth, rather than natural CO2 released from the ocean, or other “carbon sinks”. (IPCC) A carbon sink is anything that takes in, or absorbs, more carbon than it releases. Going back to what I said before, because so much CO2 is being produced, the carbon sinks cannot hold it all.



Climate change is not the only issue at hand concerning the human production of CO2. Hydraulic climate, oceans, and other parts of the planet are being affected by climate change. In many areas that experience rainfall, there is an increased amount of rainfall due to increased evaporation. (Tim P. Barnett) Oceans are also being affected by changes in their own climates. Organisms living in the ocean are aware of the change, and cannot do anything about it. Organisms also living out of the ocean are being affected, like polar bears. Polar bears are experiencing a loss of sea ice, causing a serious threat to their well being.

All in all, global climate change is being caused by human activity. People need to be aware that this is a global issue, and that it will only get worse if nothing is done to decrease the amount of CO2 emissions. There are several ways in order to help improve this problem. The most efficient way as an individual to reduce CO2 emissions is to reduce your carbon footprint. Getting energy efficient helps with reducing your carbon footprint. This means increasing productivity of whatever it is using energy, but you get more for less. Another thing is to switch to low carbon energy. Low carbon energy is where solar, wind, and hydro is used to create energy. It is good to invest in cleaner alternatives like solar panels. The last step to awareness and improvement of this issue is to talk. Talking is key, and getting involved with the community to spread the word of this issue means a better Earth in the long run. Humans can turn the cards around and cut down on CO2 emissions, resulting in a better Earth in the long run when human activity is not the main cause for global warming.