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? >
Climate Change is Very Real
Yes, climate change is real, and the evidence shows that human activity is the main cause. Scientists have studied global temperature records, ice cores, ocean temperatures, and atmospheric greenhouse gas levels for decades. These studies show that the Earth is warming faster than it ever has in natural cycles, and this warming closely matches the increase in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released by humans through burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial activity. Other evidence includes shrinking glaciers and ice sheets, rising sea levels, more frequent and intense heatwaves, stronger storms, and changing weather patterns that are all consistent with what climate models predict for human-caused warming. While some people may question the science, the overwhelming consensus among climate scientists is that climate change is happening and humans are largely responsible. Understanding this evidence is critical because it guides the actions we take to reduce emissions, protect ecosystems, and prepare communities for the impacts of a changing climate.