Causes of Climate Change: Human and Natural Factors Explained

Climate change is driven by a combination of human activity and natural processes. While Earth’s climate has always varied over long timescales, the rapid changes observed since the mid-twentieth century are primarily caused by human actions. This page explains the key drivers of climate change, separating the human-made causes from natural influences.

What Are the Main Causes of Climate Change?

Scientists identify two broad categories of causes: human and natural. Natural factors have always influenced the Earth’s climate, but they operate over thousands or millions of years. Human causes, especially since the Industrial Revolution, have introduced new and much faster sources of warming. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the recent rise in global temperatures is overwhelmingly due to human activity.

Human Causes of Climate Change

Human activities have significantly increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These gases trap heat and lead to a warming effect.

Burning Fossil Fuels

The largest source of carbon dioxide comes from burning coal, oil and gas for energy, transport, heating and manufacturing. Power stations, vehicles, and industrial sites all release large volumes of greenhouse gases.

Deforestation and Land Use Change

Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air. When forests are cleared for farming, mining or development, that carbon is released. The loss of forest also means less carbon is absorbed from the atmosphere in the future.

Agriculture and Livestock

Farming activities release methane and nitrous oxide, two potent greenhouse gases. Methane comes from livestock digestion and manure, while fertilisers and soil disturbance release nitrous oxide. Intensive farming practices can also reduce the land’s ability to store carbon.

Industrial and Consumer Emissions

Cement production, manufacturing, chemical processes and everyday products all generate emissions. These often come not just from production, but also from the energy used to transport and package goods.

Natural Causes of Climate Change

Natural processes can influence the Earth’s climate, but they are not responsible for the speed or scale of warming seen today.

Solar Activity and Earth’s Orbit

Solar radiation varies slightly over time. Earth’s orbit also changes in predictable cycles known as Milankovitch cycles. These can influence long-term climate trends over thousands of years, but recent warming has occurred too quickly to be explained this way.

Volcanic Eruptions

Large eruptions can release ash and sulphur particles that reflect sunlight and cause short-term cooling. However, these effects are temporary and do not explain long-term trends.

Ocean Currents and Natural Climate Variability

Ocean systems such as El Niño and La Niña influence global weather patterns. These cycles can cause short-term changes in temperature and rainfall, but they are not linked to the steady rise in global temperatures.

How Scientists Know Humans Are the Main Cause

For a fuller picture of the scientific consensus and observed trends, visit Facts, Evidence and Statistics for Climate Change.

Scientists use climate models, historical data and attribution studies to determine the causes of observed climate change. When only natural factors are included, the models do not match the current trends. When human emissions are added, the models closely reflect observed warming. This is one reason the IPCC and national science bodies conclude that human activity is the dominant cause.

Why It Matters to Understand the Causes

Understanding the causes of climate change helps guide the actions needed to limit it. If the main drivers are human activities, then reducing emissions from energy, transport, farming and industry is essential. Solutions can be targeted and effective only when causes are clearly understood.

This knowledge also helps communities, businesses and governments plan for the future. Climate effects vary across the UK, with some regions more vulnerable to flooding, heat or water scarcity. Understanding local risks, as described in Climate Change in the UK: Impacts, Risks and Regional Data, can support smarter decisions about infrastructure, land use and public services.

For example, UK farming is already under pressure due to more frequent droughts and unpredictable weather.

Better understanding leads to better planning, and clearer responsibility supports faster action. You can explore practical next steps at carboncopy.eco/takeaction.

Causes of Climate Change FAQs

What causes climate change?
Climate change is caused by greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. Most come from human activities like burning fossil fuels.

What are the human activities that contribute to climate change?
Transport, energy production, agriculture, deforestation and industry are the main sources of emissions.

Are there natural causes of climate change too?
Yes, but they operate slowly and do not explain the recent acceleration in warming.

Why are human causes of climate change more significant today?
Human activity has increased the concentration of greenhouse gases to levels not seen in hundreds of thousands of years.

How do we know humans are responsible for climate change?
Climate models, measurements and scientific research all show that recent warming matches human activity, not natural variation.

Sources:

• https://science.nasa.gov/climate-change/evidence/
• https://www.ipcc.ch/

About Carbon Copy

Carbon Copy exists to turn individual concern for climate and nature into collective impact by helping people connect locally and create real change together. We believe the fastest way to create change is to share it. We tap into a powerful truth: copying is human nature. When action is visible and easy to replicate, it spreads. It’s about people stepping in, inspired by what others have done and copying what works. Carbon Copy offers a place to start, with a national collection of climate action stories, place-by-place climate and nature plans, a popular podcast and blog, and capacity building for organisations across public, private and third sectors.