Fact Check: Climate change is caused by humans

Fact-Check: "Climate Change is Caused by Humans"

What We Know

The claim that climate change is caused by human activities is supported by a substantial body of scientific evidence. According to NASA, human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, have significantly warmed the Earth's surface and oceans, leading to observable changes in climate. This assertion is backed by over a century of scientific research, which indicates that climate-warming trends over the past century are extremely likely due to human activities, as noted in multiple peer-reviewed studies (NASA Global Climate Change).

Furthermore, a recent survey of 88,125 climate-related studies found that more than 99.9% of peer-reviewed papers agree that climate change is primarily caused by human actions. This survey updates earlier findings from 2013, which indicated that 97% of studies supported the idea of human-caused climate change. The overwhelming consensus among climate scientists is that human activities, particularly greenhouse gas emissions, are the dominant driver of climate change (U.S. EPA).

Numerous leading scientific organizations, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, have publicly endorsed this position, emphasizing the critical role of human influence on climate change.

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim that climate change is caused by humans is robust and comes from a variety of reputable sources. The consensus among scientists is not merely anecdotal; it is based on rigorous peer-reviewed research. The survey conducted by Mark Lynas and colleagues, which found that only four out of 3,000 randomly sampled studies expressed skepticism about human-caused climate change, highlights the rarity of dissenting opinions in the scientific community (More than 99.9% of studies agree).

Moreover, organizations such as the American Geophysical Union and the U.S. Global Change Research Program have consistently stated that human activities are the primary cause of the observed warming since the mid-20th century. The reliability of these sources is high, as they are well-respected institutions that base their conclusions on extensive research and data.

While some individuals and groups continue to promote skepticism regarding human-caused climate change, these views are increasingly out of step with the scientific consensus. The Wikipedia entry on scientific consensus on climate change summarizes the consensus effectively, noting that human activities, including fossil fuel combustion and land use changes, are significant contributors to climate change.

Conclusion

The claim that climate change is caused by humans is True. The overwhelming majority of scientific research supports this assertion, with more than 99.9% of peer-reviewed studies affirming that human activities are the primary driver of climate change. The evidence is backed by numerous reputable scientific organizations and comprehensive studies, making it clear that the consensus is well-established and widely accepted in the scientific community.

Fact Check: Climate change is caused by humans