What is one major cause of climate change?

One major cause of climate change is the increase in greenhouse gas emissions from human activities. Human activities, particularly since the Industrial Revolution, have led to a significant rise in the concentration of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere. These gases trap heat and cause the Earth's surface temperature to rise, which is commonly referred to as global warming.

The burning of fossil fuels for energy, transportation, and industrial processes is a primary contributor to this increase. Deforestation and land-use changes also release carbon stored in trees and soil, further exacerbating the problem. This response to human activity has led to changes in weather patterns, sea level rise, and more extreme weather events, highlighting the critical impact of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions on the climate system.

While natural variations in Earth's climate and the use of biofuels can influence climate dynamics, their impact is either lower in scale or does not contribute directly to the extensive warming observed in recent decades compared to human-induced greenhouse gas emissions. Deforestation without tree replacement does contribute to climate change, but it is a specific mechanism of greenhouse gas release rather than the overarching driver that encompasses various activities leading to emission increases.