
The ISCFC is all about reducing our individual and collective contributions to climate change.
But is climate change really happening? Is it mostly caused by human activity, including our production of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases?
In the United States and elsewhere, there are people who are not convinced by the science. But the great thing about science is that we use evidence to evaluate scientific questions. So what is the evidence related to climate change?
Are you or are you not convinced by the majority of climate scientists who say that climate change is real and largely human caused? Why are you convinced/not convinced? What evidence might change your mind one way or the other?
Is Climate Change Real & Human-Caused?
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Air travel is one of the most carbon-intensive activities an individual can engage in. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), commercial aviation accounts for about 2–3% of global CO₂ emissions, but its overall climate impact is higher due to the release of other gases at high altitudes, which amplify warming effects (Lee et al., 2021). Air travel has become an integral part of global connectivity, enabling economic development, cultural exchange, and personal freedom. However, its environmental cost—particularly in terms of carbon emissions, is significant and often underestimated.

Climate change is a very real and is mainly caused by humans, although many people are doubtful this is even occurring. Climate change is the long-term change in Earth’s temperature, weather patterns, and climate systems. According to NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Earth’s average temperature has increased by about 2 degrees Fahrenheit since the late 1800s, and most of that increase has happened since 1975. This is due to the pollution from cars, factories and power plants. However, there have been natural factors that contribute to climate change such as volcanic eruptions or changes in the sun’s energy. While these might not be the main causes, they do speed up the process. Without humans, climate change may occur over many years, but nowhere near as quick or devastating as it is now.

Yes. I fully believe that humans are the main cause of climate change. The reason for this is because most of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is caused by humans. Humans cause CO2 to be released by cutting down trees for various reasons (ex. clearing land for agriculture, paper production), breeding animals for meat consumption, burning fossil fuels (ex. transportation, heating), electricity use, and so much more. I feel that if we were to reduce some of the things we do to contribute to the CO2 in the environment, then the world would head towards a cleaner and safer future.
If you are a student, you may not think that you can do much to help out, but there are many things you can do including eat less meat, take shorter showers, turn off any electrical device when it is not being currently used, take public transportation, walk, or bike whenever possible, and throw your waste in the right bins. I'm not telling you to change your whole lifestyle, but if we all try to reduce even a little bit of the things we do to contribute to climate change, then we can make a huge impact to change the outcome of the future. Try to do whatever is possible for you.

I agree with you. Climate change is 100% human caused. But I think one of the main issues is that it’s hard for humans to change their whole life styles. Since climate change is such a big and important issue, it does take immediate action but humans are hesitant to be the change and try and combat climate change. I agree that everyone should do their part in helping fight climate change, and I liked the ideas that you suggested. Some more possible ideas of specific actions you could take are planting a garden to grow your vegetables so that they won’t need to be imported from other countries and grown with harmful chemicals. Like you said, people should try and eat less meat, as the meat industry, specifically cow agriculture, is one of the leading causes to climate change. Of course it is hard to get people to change their diets, but in order to combat climate change I do think that it is necessary.

Hey there!
I agree with the most of the arguments. However, climatic change has happened in the past, such as during the ice age. The current climate change is definitely caused by human society. As it was pointed out, it would be hard for everyone to change their lifestyle in order to reduce carbon dioxide pollution. Companies that produce a lot of products tend to be reluctant to reduce CO₂ emissions. Since the filters and other elements they would need are actually expensive. Fast food companies, for instance McDonald's, in the USA produce lots of CO₂ due to their cow stock.

I agree. Climate change is most likely caused by humans because in the past, mostly natural gasses were going into the atmosphere which allowed for them to be naturally broken down over time. When humans came into the equation, we began to cut down trees which made it so the CO2 we breathed wasn't able to be consumed and we released fossil fuels from underground that wouldn't be going into the atmosphere as quickly without us manually doing it.
Personally, the most that I contribute to climate change is by taking flights and going on vacation. I wonder if there's any way to create electric planes that are able to travel long distances so that it would be more sustainable for the environment.

I agree with you 85%. Climate Change is mostly caused by humans, with our factories and carbon emissions contributing a lot. However, natural weather is also a small factor when it comes to Climate Change. Natural disasters such as wildfires are caused by high winds, which we have no control over. The burning involves a chemical reaction where the carbon in the wood combines with oxygen, forming CO2. Overall, I think that Climate Change is caused by humans, but some natural causes contribute to the change.

Yes I do think Climate Change is mostly human caused. Climate Change is caused by the rising amount of greenhouse gases that are in the atmosphere which causes heat from the sun to be trapped in the atmosphere instead of going back out into space. This is making the heat to rise or, global warming. To answer this question fully you must understand that Climate Change and global warming are two different things. Climate Change refers to the change in climate while global warming refers to the rising temperatures of the Earth. Global warming is part of Climate Change so they are relational. Although, Climate Change is not completely human caused, natural things happen on Earth that cause Climate Change as well. Overall, I'd say Climate Change is 90% percent human's fault and 10% natural cause.

I think climate change is caused by humans because life is a simulation that the government is doing to distract us from the real world

While everyone is entitled to their opinion, it's important to separate science from speculation. The overwhelming consensus among climate scientists is that climate change is primarily driven by human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. Ideas about life being a government-run simulation are not supported by credible evidence and distract from addressing real-world issues that urgently need our attention.

Yes, climate change is real and caused by humans, and with the years it is getting worse and worse, negatively affecting our planet and us humans. It is sad that we no longer even have four seasons — spring has become summer, while winter is more like autumn. Even if we start taking better care of the environment now, we will not stop the melting of ice and glaciers. Although we cannot undo the damage, we can still slow down climate change if we all start taking action now.

I am convinced that climate change is real and largely caused by human activity. The evidence from climate scientists around the world clearly shows that global temperatures are rising, glaciers are melting, sea levels are increasing, and extreme weather events like wildfires, floods, and hurricanes are becoming more frequent and intense. One of the main reasons for this is the increase in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released by human activities – especially the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. Deforestation and industrial agriculture also add to the problem. We are already seeing the effects, and if we don't reduce emissions, the consequences will get much worse. I believe it's our responsibility to take this seriously and work together to reduce our impact. That means changing how we produce energy, how we travel, and even how we use and waste resources. We can all contribute in some way – individually and collectively – to protect the future of our planet.

Schimbările climatice sunt din cauza poluări(încălzirea globală)
Trebuie sa incercam toți să nu mai poluăm și sa incercam sa strângem gunoaiele de pe jos sau oriunde găsim.+dacă poluam deșeuri în oceane și planeta va suferi dar și animalele acvatice .
Eu spun" Stop poluări"!

Climate Change is a consequence of the rapid industrialisation of the world and human neglect/unawareness of pollution. The industrial revolution, while an important event in modern history, also kickstarted industrial pollution and as a consequence caused climate change. Are there any real ways to prevent it, or does the current political landscape not allow any such preventive actions to be put in effect due to the favoritism showed to corporations, industrialists and how they see these preventive actions as 'non-beneficial'?

Yes, climate change is real and caused by humans. Evidence shows rising temperatures, melting ice, and more extreme weather events. Activities like burning fossil fuels, cutting down trees, and pollution have increased greenhouse gases, which trap heat in the atmosphere. I’m deaduzz.

I totally agree—climate change is a pressing issue, and human activities are a big part of the problem. The evidence is undeniable, and it’s alarming to see how quickly things are changing. It’s also wild how connected everything is, from the way we use resources to how ecosystems are being affected. But we still have time to make a difference if we take action now, even if it feels overwhelming at times. How do you think we can push for more change, even on a smaller level?

You're right, the interconnectedness of everything is crazy to think about! Even small actions can make a big impact when it comes to pushing for change. On a smaller level, we can start by being mindful of our personal consumption—things like reducing waste, supporting sustainable businesses, using public transport, or even planting trees. It all adds up. But beyond that, pushing for policy changes is key. Voting for leaders who prioritize climate action, supporting local environmental initiatives, and advocating for stronger regulations around emissions and deforestation can make a huge difference. What do you think—what small changes do you find most effective?

I love your point about how small actions add up! It really does feel empowering to realize that even individual choices can create a ripple effect. For me, some of the most effective changes have been reducing single-use plastics and opting for more sustainable alternatives. Also, I’ve been trying to support businesses that have clear sustainability goals, like those using renewable energy or eco-friendly packaging. Another small change that’s made a big impact is trying to reduce food waste by planning meals more carefully and using leftovers creatively. It all feels like a step in the right direction, but you’re right—policy changes are key to making systemic progress. Do you have any tips for making sustainability a bit easier in everyday life?

I love that you're focusing on reducing single-use plastics, supporting sustainable businesses, and tackling food waste! Those small changes are definitely a huge step in the right direction. Making sustainability easier in everyday life can sometimes be about convenience, but with a few tweaks, it can feel more manageable. Here are a few tips:
1. **Streamline your shopping**: Keep a list of eco-friendly products you use regularly, so when you shop, you can easily choose the sustainable option. Things like bamboo toothbrushes, refillable cleaning products, and sustainable food storage can make a big difference.
2. **Invest in reusable items**: Reusable bags, water bottles, coffee cups, and even produce bags can help you cut down on waste. Having these items ready to go makes it easier to avoid single-use plastics when you're out and about.
3. **Buy in bulk**: This one’s great for reducing packaging waste. Bulk buying grains, nuts, and cleaning supplies helps minimize plastic use. Plus, it usually ends up being more cost-effective in the long run!
4. **Compost if you can**: If you have a garden or even just a small space, composting food scraps can be a game-changer. It keeps waste out of landfills and provides you with nutrient-rich soil for plants.
5. **Support local and seasonal foods**: It’s not only fresher and often more affordable, but buying locally produced, seasonal food reduces carbon emissions from transportation.
I think it’s all about making small, incremental changes that feel natural and manageable, while also staying mindful of the bigger picture. What’s one area you’d like to focus on making more sustainable this year?

yessir! SHEESHHHHHHHHHHH boi this is an epic bruh moment. REEEEEEE- perfectly cut scream???

yes, I think humans are the cause of climate change. Before the industrial revolution, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was low but during the industrial revolution the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere rose up a lot and the climate started to change and get warmer. Humans did actions such as burning fossil fuels, and deforestation which warmed the earth at a higher rate. Agriculture also creates a big impact on climate change. for every second that passes, about 1 football field of forest is cut down for agriculture. most of the crops are grown for animal feed. Animal agriculture is one of the leading causes of climate change. The demand for animal products is high, they have to raise a lot of animals. The animals eat and drink a lot, and they produce a lot of methane which is 80x more harmful than carbon dioxide.

Humans have negatively affected the climate for years, these actions inclue burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and over use of our resources, as the earth warms more and more each year our ice caps will melt even faster.
https://climate.ec.europa.eu/climate-ch … %20warming

I completely agree with you. However, I'd like to add that agriculture also plays a big impact on the environment. For example, if you feel bad when you take a long shower or leave the tap running then consider the animal products you eat - eating one hamburger is equivalent to two months of however much the average person showers. That's a lot of water, think about it. Of course, burning fossil fuels, deforestation and the over use of resources are huge problems. In fact, these practices are all used for the making of meat/dairy products - we cut down forests so that we have more farmland, we burn fossil fuels to transport the goods, and of course we use tons and tons of feed (that could go to humans) and water to sustain farm animals.

Yes. I fully believe that humans are the main cause of climate change. The reason for this is because most of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is caused by humans. Humans cause CO2 to be released by cutting down trees for various reasons (ex. clearing land for agriculture, paper production), breeding animals for meat consumption, burning fossil fuels (ex. transportation, heating), electricity use, and so much more. I feel that if we were to reduce some of the things we do to contribute to the CO2 in the environment, then the world would head towards a cleaner and safer future.
If you are a student, you may not think that you can do much to help out, but there are many things you can do including eat less meat, take shorter showers, turn off any electrical device when it is not being currently used, take public transportation, walk, or bike whenever possible, and throw your waste in the right bins. I'm not telling you to change your whole lifestyle, but if we all try to reduce even a little bit of the things we do to contribute to climate change, then we can make a huge impact to change the outcome of the future. Try to do whatever is possible for you.

Now more than ever, we are hearing about climate change. With our warmer winters and scorching summers, it makes since that climate change is happening. However, some people doubt that climate change is even real, or that it is caused by human activity. This can be a dangerous mentality to have, as the more people that don't believe in climate change, the less that will be done to change it. So, what is climate change? Climate change is caused by an increased amount of methane and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun in our atmosphere. While the atmosphere is designed to keep some heat from the sun, the introduction of the gases causes it to hold on to more than we can stand. The increased amounts of these harmful gases in the atmosphere are mostly caused by human activities, such as driving gasoline-powered vehicles and burning coal at power plants and factories. The more the overall temperature of the Earth rises, the more animals and ecosystems that will suffer because they are unable to adapt fast enough to the rapid changes. To sum it all up, climate change is very real and caused by human activity. If nothing continues to be done about it, we will eventually experience another mass extinction, much like the one the dinosaurs experienced.

Climate change has been a topic heavily discussed more and more lately. There are many factors and people have their own opinions however, when looking at the data it points to clear conclusions. One way that humans are constantly contributing to the rising of climate change is through deforestation. Forests and wetlands are currently being destroyed in order to make a profit from logging or construction. They do this from a process called clearcutting which is when every tree or native plant is destroyed within a single area and nothing is left. This destroying process is very harmful to the environment for many reasons. One way it is very bad is that it takes away animals and plants habitats where they found refuge in and built their habitats. Another way it is very harmful, is that trees have the ability of taking in carbon dioxide and storing it at ground level or underground but then once trees are cut down and dug up it is releasing all of the carbon into the atmosphere. All of the carbon then can be very harmful to the rest of the environment and people which contributes to climate change. Even where I live, you can see deforestation happening at lesser levels. Currently a bridge is being built and so they are destroying large parts of the forests by cutting them down and then holding controlled burns. There are also many developments that are being placed around the city and region in order to hold all the people that are moving here which requires the destruction of forests. Deforestation is a large issue and we need to begin taking care of our trees and saving our parks.
https://www.nrdc.org/stories/what-are-c … ge#choices

While climate change does occur multiple ways that do not involve humans, we do significantly accelerate it. In moderation things would not so drastically change, but because we humans refuse to change our ways, the Earth is heating up at an uncontrollable rate. Greenhouse gases are naturally emitted into the atmosphere from decaying organisms and waste. Humans are taking advantage of the Earth and are emitting more greenhouse gases than the Earth can handle. This is deteriorating the ozone layer, leading to overheating and harmful UV rays entering the atmosphere. With the temperatures rising and conditions worsening, humans are digging themselves into a bigger and bigger hole that soon we will not be able to get ourselves out of. Humans must accept that we are the cause of the Earth's slow death. If we do not change this soon, the Earth will not survive much longer.
https://ourworldindata.org/greenhouse-gas-emissions

Climate change happens naturally in multiple ways, like the release of Methane from cows, but we humans excel the rate for global temperature rise by multitudes. We use machinery and factories that release hundreds of tons of CO2 and other green house gasses. The gasses are great at trapping temperature because they're magnetically of balance with their charges. When heat hits them the jiggle and trap the energy in heat form. Ultimately this causes the globe to rise in temperature slowly. To conclude, yes climate change is real, and when it comes to thee question of if we're to blame, majority answer is yes.

I completely agree with you, some change is completely normal, but humans speed up this process extremely.

While climate change does occur multiple ways that do not involve humans, we do significantly accelerate it. In moderation things would not so drastically change, but because we humans refuse to change our ways, the Earth is heating up at an uncontrollable rate. Greenhouse gases are naturally emitted into the atmosphere from decaying organisms and waste. Humans are taking advantage of the Earth and are emitting more greenhouse gases than the Earth can handle. This is deteriorating the ozone layer, leading to overheating and harmful UV rays entering the atmosphere. With the temperatures rising and conditions worsening, humans are digging themselves into a bigger and bigger hole that soon we will not be able to get ourselves out of. Humans must accept that we are the cause of the Earth's slow death. If we do not change this soon, the Earth will not survive much longer.
https://ourworldindata.org/greenhouse-gas-emissions

try to walk and bike to places more

I ride my bike a lot and even try to walk to most places and I really only take a car to go to polo and football

Wow I use less Co2 than the avger person.

LUCKY! I wish I could say the same thing...:)

I know that everyone likes ice cream, milk, Mac n' Cheese, and just cheese in general--- but have you ever thought about how it affects the climate? Cows--- the source of all our dairy--- release methane, a global-warming inducing chemical, through their digestive system.(As in, when they b*rp or far*...) Personally, I am the only dairy eater in a lactose-intolerant family, but I still feel that we could cut back on the dairy so that farms don't breed cows so much, and so (Hopefully) the amount of methane going into the atmosphere will reduce. (Lactose-free ice cream is good, people!) This is just a thought, but personally, I will try to cut back on the dairy. A pebble in the ocean still creates a ripple! Thanks for hearing me out, and if anyone has any other ideas that don't involve giving up cheese for the sake of the world and reducing methane, I'm all ears!

Plane rides are one of the most carbon-emitting ways of transportation. From my personal carbon footprint, my transportation section was up around 6,000 kgs more than normal because I took many plane rides around the world. According to billiontrees.com, a plane emits around 90 kg of C02 per hour. To put that into perspective a normal car emits around 1 kg of C02 per hour. Planes emit way more carbon because they burn a lot more fossil fuels than any other type of transportation. A plane like a Boeing 747 uses approximately 1 gallon (about 4 liters) of fuel every second. Although it is hard to avoid plane rides, the next time you are on a plane think about how much carbon the plane is emitting into the

Yes!! I recently calculated my carbon footprint and was shocked to see how much a couple airplane rides a year shot it up more than 5,000 kgs. Over 16 million flights per year are handled by the FAA which is a huge amount of carbon emissions. As you said plane rides are essential for our worldwide travel, but we do need to consider how much carbon we are emitting every time we fly, even short distance flights.

I completely agree that air travel is one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions. Your personal experience highlights just how significant the impact can be. The comparison between planes and cars really puts it into perspective—it's startling to realize how much more CO2 planes emit. Given that many of us rely on flying for both work and leisure, it’s crucial to be aware of the environmental cost. While it may not always be feasible to avoid plane travel, being mindful of our choices can help us mitigate our carbon footprints. Perhaps considering alternatives like trains or limiting long-distance trips could make a difference.

Climate Change was hypothesized in 1896 by Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius, many years later in 1938, this theory was confirmed by the scientist Guy Calendar. Humans have known about climate change for almost a century and a loud minority still don't believe in it.
So to answer the threads question, yes, Climate Change is real and cause by Humans.

Schimbările climatice reprezintă modificări semnificative ale climei Pământului într-o perioadă lungă de timp. Există o mare consens în comunitatea științifică că schimbările climatice sunt reale și sunt cauzate în principal de activitățile umane. Emisiile de gaze cu efect de seră, cum ar fi dioxidul de carbon, provenite din arderea combustibililor fosili, precum cărbunele, petrolul și gazele naturale, contribuie la creșterea temperaturilor globale. Defrișarea masivă a pădurilor este, de asemenea, un factor important. Aceste schimbări climatice pot avea consecințe grave asupra mediului și societății, inclusiv creșterea nivelului mărilor, fenomene meteorologice extreme și pierderea biodiversității. Este important să conștientizăm aceste probleme și să luăm măsuri pentru a reduce emisiile de gaze cu efect de seră și a proteja planeta noastră.

Climate change is real and humans are the cause. Things that we use everyday like vehicles emit carbon into the air which is a green house gas. Greenhouse gasses trap some heat in the earth's atmosphere and too many greenhouse gasses make the planet overheat leading to climate change. In my research, carbon has been more prominent in areas with machines, and less prominent in areas with trees because trees take in carbon and produce oxygen. If we start relying less on machines, we can reduce our carbon output and help prevent climate change.

global warming is something that we caused by not caring about the environment or planet earth itself

Yes, global warming is human-caused and has contributed to climate change. A main factor is greenhouse gas emissions being emitted into the atmosphere and trapping the sun's heat, resulting in the greenhouse effect keeping heat near the earth's surface. A prime example is human's excessive usage of plastic and nonbiodegradable trash that when burned releases carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogen into the atmosphere. Gas waste containing nitrogen accounts for water pollution and acidic rains. According to the United Nations Climate Action, today the earth's temperature regulations are warming at a faster rate than ever seen before in history with increased temperatures altering weather patterns across various regions and disrupting the balance of ecosystems. Other defining factors that lead to climate change include burning fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and gas has amounted to over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90% of all carbon dioxide emissions. Cutting down forests also prompts climate change because trees both absorb and store large amounts of carbon dioxide. Deforestation is the cause for about 10% of climate change because when trees are chopped down the stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere. I think that climate change is very real and is a result of humans disrupting the earth's natural balance of carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Though climate change is irreversible, I think its rate can be slowed and we can reduce the amount of human-caused emissions of carbon. Instead as a society, we can look to use renewable and sustainable practices to cut back on waste and pollution.
Sources:
*United Nations-Climate Action-Causes and Effects of Climate Change
*European Parliament-Climate Change: the greenhouse gases causing global warming
*EPA-Climate Change Indicators: Greenhouse Gases