What are the primary causes of climate change?

Human activities that increase greenhouse gas concentrations are recognized as the primary causes of climate change due to their significant and lasting impact on the atmosphere. These activities include burning fossil fuels for energy, deforestation, industrial processes, and agricultural practices, all of which release large amounts of carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases. These gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to the greenhouse effect, which is the driving force behind global warming and climate change.

While natural factors, such as volcanic eruptions or variations in solar activity, can influence climate, their effects are often temporary compared to the long-term changes driven by human activities. Seasonal climate variations are part of Earth's natural cycles and do not contribute to the long-term trends observed in climate change. Understanding that human-induced changes are chiefly responsible for the present rapid climate change allows for targeted actions to mitigate its impacts, such as transitioning to renewable energy sources and enhancing carbon sinks through reforestation.