What is the role of human activity in climate change?

Human activity plays a significant role in climate change, particularly in the form of greenhouse gas emissions. The Earth's temperature is largely determined by the balance between the amount of energy the planet receives from the sun and the amount it radiates back into space. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, trap some of the energy that would otherwise escape into space, leading to a warming of the atmosphere and the Earth's surface.

The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas, for energy and transportation is the primary source of human-produced greenhouse gas emissions. Deforestation and other land use changes also contribute to greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide that can be absorbed by forests and other natural systems. Other human activities, such as agriculture, manufacturing, and waste disposal, also contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate scientists agree that the warming of the Earth's surface is primarily due to human activities, and that without significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the planet will continue to warm, with potentially catastrophic consequences such as rising sea levels, more frequent extreme weather events, and the displacement of millions of people.