Remarkably, there are still individuals who deny climate change. Yet, we’re all entitled to our own opinions and eccentric beliefs. Indeed, if you think you don’t hold any bizarre views, it’s likely because you’re unaware of how bizarre at least one of your convictions truly is.
However, the number of people outright denying climate change has decreased. Instead of completely dismissing its existence, many now recognize climate change as a natural phenomenon occurring on our planet. They acknowledge the evidence of rising temperatures—2023 was notably the hottest year on record—but continue to argue that human activities are not to blame.
The Argument for the Natural Perspective
Advocates for the natural origin of climate change point out that the Earth’s climate has experienced both warming and cooling phases naturally throughout history. It’s well-documented that levels of CO2 have fluctuated, leading to significant temperature shifts and mass extinctions as far back as 580 million years ago.
These dramatic climatic changes and CO2 level variations were triggered by natural phenomena such as volcanic eruptions, asteroid collisions, shifts in ocean acidity, methane release, and sea level adjustments. The impact of CO2 cycles on life on Earth is evident through mass extinction events. For example, natural occurrences during the Triassic Period led to the emergence of dinosaurs and the demise of up to 90% of all living species at the time, a staggering 250 million years ago, long before humans existed.
They are convinced that climate change could be natural. The end-Triassic event is just one instance where CO2 levels shifted due to natural causes. History records several cases in which changes in the carbon cycle significantly impacted the climate, flora, and fauna, including five major extinction events. The earliest occurred around 440 million years ago, eradicating 71% of all species. Though the precise cause remains uncertain, the predominant hypothesis suggests natural CO2 fluctuations were to blame.
The most renowned extinction event, the K-T extinction, which led to the demise of most dinosaurs, was triggered by an asteroid impact and possibly exacerbated by significant volcanic activities. This event drastically altered Earth’s climate, rendering many species unable to adapt and survive, resulting in the extinction of up to 70% of species.
It is undeniable that Earth’s climate has undergone profound changes over the millions of years it has harbored life. Humans were absent for most of this time, affirming that natural forces drove these changes. However, the fact that nature can instigate climatic shifts does not imply that all instances of climate change are naturally occurring.
The Sixth Mass Extinction
Is the current climate shift likely to be a natural occurrence? No, not exactly. First, consider one of the gravest impacts of our changing climate: species loss. We find ourselves amid the sixth mass extinction, unprecedented in human history and the most rapid.
“Recent extinction rates have surged, particularly over the last 200 years, coinciding with the emergence of industrial society, and are significantly elevated compared to natural rates.” — Ceballos et al.
Various factors beyond climate fluctuations or carbon cycles constantly drive extinctions. Diminished genetic diversity, superior competitors, and scarcity of resources are among the causes that can precipitate a population’s downfall, leading to species extinction if they fail to adjust to changing environments. Not all of these factors are human-induced, and humans did not exist during the previous five mass extinctions.
Over 98% of all species that once roamed our planet are now extinct. An event is classified as a mass extinction when species disappear at a rate much faster than new ones emerge, typically when 75% of species vanish over a relatively brief geological timeframe.
“The data is undeniable that recent rates of extinction are without precedent in human history and exceedingly rare in Earth’s history.” — Ceballos et al.
Presently, extinction rates exceed expectations and are primarily attributable to human activities, including climate change, contamination, habitat destruction, introduction of non-native species, and direct exploitation. It’s estimated that 48% of current species are in decline, with extinction rates now 100 to 1,000 times above pre-human levels.
Returning to Climate Change
A principal factor in the acceleration of extinction rates is climate change. Despite some skepticism, over 99% of scientists acknowledge the reality of climate change and its anthropogenic origins. To give some context, there is greater scientific consensus on human-caused climate change than on the link between smoking and cancer.
“The warming we have observed is primarily the result of human activity, with heat from greenhouse gases (GHG), chiefly CO2 and methane (CH4), partially offset by cooling from aerosols.” — IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations body responsible for evaluating the science related to climate change, has definitively stated that the ongoing global warming trend is the result of human actions. The IPCC’s sixth assessment report indicates that climatic alterations are driven by emissions of greenhouse gases, which have surged in recent decades due to human activities, including unsustainable energy consumption, land and land-use change, and lifestyle and consumption patterns.
These experts do not deny the Earth’s climate has natural variability, but they highlight the significant human influence on the planet and the unnatural pace of these changes. The current global warming rate is estimated to be at least ten times faster than that of any past international mass extinction event. Scientists assert that the global warming we are experiencing is entirely human-induced; without human impact, natural factors would have led to a slight global cooling over the last fifty years. Yet, we are witnessing an anticipated rise in temperatures, projected to exceed a three °C increase above pre-industrial levels by century’s end.
My Perspective
Skeptics are a reality; I won’t even attempt to dispute that. A few may deny the existence of climate change, though they are in the minority. Nowadays, most climate change skeptics primarily argue for human guilt.
I’m not naive enough to believe that any data I’ve presented in this article could sway anyone’s opinion. But indulge me; I’m not a scientist so that I can allow a bit of whimsy. While it’s significant whether climate change is anthropogenic, those convinced it isn’t should nevertheless endorse efforts towards sustainability. I warned you I would approach this with a touch of whimsy.
It’s irrefutable that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from human activities or natural phenomena influence the climate. If we can reduce anthropogenic emissions, we might halt the rising temperatures and mitigate the detrimental effects of such temperature increases. Even if one argues that there are GHG emissions from natural sources beyond our control, we should still aim to decrease emissions from human activities and, thus, the impacts we face.
“Climate change induced by humans is already impacting various weather and climate extremes across the globe, resulting in widespread negative effects on food and water security, human health, economies, and societies, and causing losses and damages to nature and people (High Confidence). Communities that are particularly vulnerable and have historically contributed least to climate change are facing disproportionate effects (high confidence).” — IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report.
It’s disheartening to see climate change politicized and not in a constructive manner. There’s a lot of blame-shifting, name-calling, and juvenile antics from many politicians regarding this issue. We even witness climate commitments leveraged for votes but abandoned by those who ascend to power.
Nonetheless, climate change must be addressed politically out of necessity. While individual actions count, systemic transformations are crucial for achieving enduring effects. Legislation, regulation, policies, and even incentives for green initiatives will be the driving forces behind a shift in human behavior, not only at the individual level but crucially at the corporate level.
Sustainability shouldn’t shouldn’t; it ought to be mandated. But this can only happen if our leaders cease their quarrels over superiority and start taking action, not to flaunt economic achievements in the year following an election, but to secure the best sustainable outcomes for humanity in the long run.