Is Climate Change Really Caused by Human Activity？

By Chen Ya, Jointing.Media, in Wuhan, 2024-11-04

Here’s a conversation with Kimi, AI assistant from Moonshot AI.

Chen Ya:What do you think caused the recent flooding in Spain?

Kimi: The disaster in Spain this year, which resulted in significant loss of life and property, can be attributed to several factors, with climate change playing a significant role. Here’s a summary of the reasons based on the search results:

1. Intense Rainfall

The storms were concentrated over specific river basins, leading to walls of water that overflowed riverbanks and caught people off guard. In Chiva, a locality in Valencia, it rained more in eight hours than it had in the preceding 20 months, which the national weather service described as “extraordinary.”

2. Climate Change Connection

Scientists suggest two likely connections between the disaster and human-caused climate change:

- Warmer Air Holds More Rain: Warmer air can hold and then dump more rain, making downpours more intense. The atmosphere, made hotter by burning fossil fuels, can hold about 9% more moisture for every 1.3 degrees Celsius increase in temperature.

- Changes in the Jet Stream: Possible changes in the jet stream, which moves weather systems across the globe, can spawn extreme weather events. The immediate cause of the flooding was a cut-off lower pressure storm system that migrated from an unusually wavy and stalled jet stream, leading to a prolonged period of heavy rainfall.

3. Record-Breaking Ocean Temperatures

The Mediterranean Sea had its warmest surface temperature on record in mid-August, which can contribute to storms sucking up additional moisture. This is another factor that can exacerbate the intensity of rainfall and flooding.

4. Extreme Weather Events

Climate change increases the likelihood and intensity of extreme weather events. An analysis by World Weather Attribution found that climate change made the recent intense rainfall about 12% heavier and twice as likely.

5. Lack of Preparedness

When authorities sent alerts warning of the seriousness of the flooding, many people were already on the road or in vulnerable areas, indicating a possible lack of preparedness or timely response to the warnings.

In summary, the disaster in Spain this year was a result of a combination of factors, with climate change playing a significant role in increasing the intensity and likelihood of such extreme weather events. The disaster serves as a stark reminder of the need for increased preparedness, early warning systems, and global efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Chen Ya: Why do you think climate change is the main cause of the disaster?

Kimi:Here’s why climate change is considered the most significant reason for many of the disasters we’re experiencing:

1. Increased Frequency and Intensity of Extreme Weather Events

Climate change, driven by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, leads to a rise in global temperatures. This increase in temperature causes more energy to be stored in the climate system, which can lead to more intense weather events. For instance, warmer air holds more moisture, which can lead to heavier rainfall and severe flooding.

2. Melting Ice and Rising Sea Levels

The melting of polar ice caps and glaciers due to climate change contributes to rising sea levels. This can exacerbate the effects of storm surges during hurricanes and typhoons, leading to more devastating coastal flooding.

3. Shifts in Weather Patterns

Climate change can alter traditional weather patterns, leading to prolonged droughts in some areas and increased rainfall in others. These shifts can lead to water scarcity, crop failures, and increased risk of wildfires.

4. Ocean Acidification

Increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere lead to more CO2 being absorbed by the oceans, causing them to become more acidic. This can have devastating effects on marine ecosystems, affecting fisheries and the food chain.

5. Threat to Biodiversity

Climate change can lead to the loss of habitats and the extinction of species that are unable to adapt to the rapidly changing conditions, disrupting ecosystems and the services they provide.

6. Global Impact

The effects of climate change are global, affecting every country and every aspect of life, from food and water security to economic stability and human health.

7. Scientific Consensus

There is a strong scientific consensus that human-induced climate change is occurring. Numerous studies and reports from credible organizations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have confirmed this.

8. Attribution Science

Advanced climate science, known as attribution science, allows researchers to determine the extent to which climate change has influenced specific weather events. Many studies have shown that climate change has significantly increased the likelihood and severity of certain disasters.

In summary, climate change is considered the biggest reason for many disasters because it is a fundamental driver that exacerbates existing risks and creates new ones. It is a complex, multifaceted issue that has far-reaching consequences for the environment and human societies. Addressing climate change is crucial for reducing the severity and frequency of disasters and ensuring a more sustainable future.

Chen Ya: Is human activity the cause of climate change from a historical perspective?

Kimi: From a historical perspective, human activities are indeed considered the primary reason for climate change, and this is supported by a substantial body of scientific evidence and research. Here’s why:

1. Greenhouse Gas Concentrations

Since the Industrial Revolution, there has been a significant increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere due to human activities like burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. These gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, leading to a rise in global temperatures.

2. Climate Model Simulations

Climate models simulate the Earth’s climate system and have shown that the observed global warming trend aligns with the increase in GHG emissions from human activities. These models account for natural factors like solar activity and volcanic eruptions, which have a much smaller impact on climate compared to human activities.

3. Increase in Extreme Climate Events

Observational data indicates that the frequency and intensity of extreme climate events such as heatwaves, heavy rainfall, and droughts have increased, which is closely associated with human-induced climate change.

4. Earth System Changes

Global warming has affected various Earth systems, including the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, geosphere, and biosphere, in ways that align with the impacts of human activities.

5. Historical Climate Data Comparisons

While the Earth has experienced natural cycles of warming and cooling, the current rate and magnitude of global warming exceed the scope of natural climate variability and correspond with the timeline of human activities.

6. Scientific Consensus

7. Carbon Cycle and Geological Feedbacks

Earth possesses self-regulating carbon cycles and geological feedback mechanisms, such as silicate weathering, but these processes operate on timescales much longer than the rapid climate changes caused by human activities and cannot account for the recent rapid warming.

In summary, the overwhelming consensus among scientists, supported by historical data, climate modeling, and observations, points to human activities as the primary cause of the current climate change. The evidence is clear and compelling, indicating that addressing climate change requires significant reductions in GHG emissions and other measures to mitigate and adapt to its impacts.

Chen Ya: I was referring to the length of Earth’s history. After all, the history of the climate record is shorter than human history, and more like a split second compared to Earth’s history. These records of climate data do not seem to be sufficient to show that human activity is causing changes in the Earth’s climate.

Kimi: The historical perspective on climate change is indeed rich with data and evidence that supports the conclusion that human activities are the primary driver of the current changes in the climate system. Here’s why the data we have is considered sufficient and compelling:

1. Ice Core Records

As referenced in the IPCC report, ice core samples from Greenland and Antarctica provide a detailed history of atmospheric composition and climate going back hundreds of thousands of years. These records show that current levels of CO2 are unprecedented in at least 800,000 years (IPCC, 2007).

2. Historical CO2 Emissions

Studies such as those by Etheridge et al. (1996) have shown that natural and anthropogenic changes in atmospheric CO2 over the last 1000 years are significantly influenced by human activities, particularly industrialization.

3. Climate Model Simulations

Climate models consistently demonstrate that the observed warming can only be replicated when human activities, especially the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations, are included (IPCC, AR6 WG1). Models that consider only natural factors fail to reproduce the observed warming trends.

4. Global Surface Temperature Records

The rate of increase in global surface temperature over the past fifty years has exceeded any previous 50-year period in the past 2000 years, as evidenced by paleoclimate records such as tree rings (IPCC, AR6 WG1).

5. Pattern of Warming

The pattern of warming in the lower atmosphere and cooling in the stratosphere, as well as the warming of the ocean and melting of sea ice, aligns with the effects of increased greenhouse gases, which are largely a result of human activities.

6. Natural Variability

While natural variability, such as solar activity and volcanic eruptions, does influence climate, it is not sufficient to explain the observed warming. The dominant effect of human activities is evident when comparing the rate of warming over recent decades with that of previous periods (IPCC, AR6 WG1).

7. Attribution Studies

Advanced climate science, known as attribution science, allows researchers to determine the extent to which climate change has influenced specific weather events. These studies consistently find that human influence has been a significant factor in recent extreme weather and climate events.

8. Scientific Consensus

The overwhelming consensus among climate scientists, based on a comprehensive body of evidence, supports the conclusion that human activities are the primary cause of the observed climate change.

The historical data, combined with ongoing observations and sophisticated climate modeling, provides a robust and comprehensive understanding of the role of human activities in driving climate change. While no single dataset can capture the entire complexity of the climate system, the collective evidence is substantial and points clearly to human influence as the dominant factor in the current changes we are witnessing.

Chen Ya: Extreme weather must have occurred after the birth of the Earth, when there were probably no humans. The Earth exists in the universe. Scientists point out that more than 95% of the matter in the universe is dark matter. So far, mankind has not been able to analyze all the components of dark matter and fully observe the changes in the energy of the universe, so how can we conclude that they have no influence on the climate change on Earth?

Kimi:Your points raise important considerations about the complexity of Earth’s climate system and its interactions with cosmic energy and dark matter. Here’s how we can address these points:

1. Historical Climate Variability

It is true that Earth has experienced extreme climate events throughout its history, long before human beings existed. These events were driven by natural factors such as volcanic eruptions, changes in Earth’s orbit, and solar variability.

2. Dark Matter and Cosmic Energy

Dark matter and cosmic energy are indeed significant components of the universe, but their direct influence on Earth’s climate is not well understood and is currently considered to be minimal compared to other forces. Dark matter does not interact with ordinary matter through electromagnetic forces, which means it does not directly absorb, emit, or reflect light—processes that are central to climate dynamics.

3. Cosmic Energy and Climate Change

Cosmic energy, in the form of solar radiation, is a well-understood driver of Earth’s climate. Solar variability can influence climate, but the changes in solar output over the past few decades have been small compared to the increase in greenhouse gases. The energy imbalance caused by human activities is currently the dominant factor driving climate change.

4. Scientific Consensus on Human Influence

The scientific consensus is that human activities, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases, are the primary driver of the observed warming since the mid-20th century. This conclusion is based on a wide range of evidence, including the rapid increase in atmospheric CO2 concentrations, the observed warming pattern (which is consistent with greenhouse warming), and climate model simulations.

5. Comparative Impact of Human Activities and Cosmic Forces

While it is true that we do not fully understand all aspects of cosmic energy and dark matter, the impacts of human activities on climate are more directly observable and measurable. The increase in greenhouse gases, the resulting radiative forcing, and the observed warming are all well-documented and understood.

6. Uncertainties and Ongoing Research

It’s important to acknowledge that there are uncertainties in climate science, including the role of cosmic energy and dark matter. However, the scientific method involves continually refining our understanding based on new data and research. Currently, the evidence overwhelmingly points to human activities as the dominant factor in current climate change.

In summary, while dark matter and cosmic energy are fascinating areas of research, the current scientific understanding is that their impact on Earth’s climate is minimal compared to the clear and significant influence of human activities, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases. This is not to dismiss the importance of continued research into these areas but to recognize the consensus on the primary drivers of the climate changes we are experiencing today.

Chen Ya: So, by your logic, human activity causes the greenhouse effect, the greenhouse effect causes climate change, and climate change causes more extreme weather. However the correlation between climate change and the frequency of extreme weather is due to detectable data, while undetectable data and factors are not considered to be irrelevant. In fact, this logic is flawed.

Kimi: Your points are well-taken and highlight the complexity and nuances of climate science. It’s important to recognize that while human activities are the primary driver of current climate change, there are indeed other factors and forces at play. Here’s a more nuanced perspective:

1. Human Activities and Greenhouse Effect

Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, have significantly increased the concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. This increase enhances the greenhouse effect, leading to global warming, which in turn drives climate change.

2. Climate Change and Extreme Weather

The correlation between climate change and the frequency of extreme weather events is well-established through detectable data. However, it’s important to note that climate science also considers a range of factors, including natural variability and other forces that may influence the climate system.

3. Detectable vs. Undetectable Factors

While it’s true that some factors may be difficult to detect or quantify, such as the influence of cosmic energy or dark matter, the scientific community continually seeks to understand and incorporate these factors into climate models. The current consensus is based on the best available evidence and understanding.

4. Flawed Logic Concern

The logic is not necessarily flawed; rather, it reflects the current state of scientific understanding. Human activities are the most significant and measurable factor contributing to the current rate of climate change. However, this does not exclude the possibility of other influences.

5. Ongoing Research and Understanding

Climate science is an evolving field, and our understanding of the climate system, including the role of cosmic energy and dark matter, is continually expanding. As new data and research emerge, our models and understanding will be refined.

6. Acknowledging Complexity

It’s crucial to acknowledge the complexity of the climate system and the multitude of factors that can influence it. While human activities are currently the dominant driver, the climate system is influenced by a range of natural and anthropogenic factors, some of which are not yet fully understood.

In conclusion, while human activities are the primary driver of the current climate change, the scientific community recognizes and investigates a wide range of factors that could influence the climate system. The current consensus is based on the most comprehensive and robust data available, but it is subject to revision as our understanding and detection capabilities advance.

Chen Ya: It doesn’t convince me that undiscovered and unobservable things have no impact on climate change. If the assumptions of scientific research are not comprehensive, the conclusions drawn naturally cannot be fully trusted. If it is human activity that causes global climate change. Is there any historical evidence that human activity has slowed climate change and reduced extreme weather events?

Kimi: You’ve raised a valid point about the comprehensiveness of scientific research and its implications for our understanding of climate change. It’s true that scientific conclusions are based on the best available evidence, and as such, they are subject to revision as new data and understanding emerge. Here’s how we can address your concerns:

1.Historical Evidence of Human Impact

Historical data does show instances where human activities have had significant impacts on the environment, including deforestation, land use changes, and greenhouse gas emissions. These activities have contributed to climate change, which in turn has influenced weather patterns and the frequency of extreme events.

2. Human activities and climate change

There is also historical evidence of human activities that have helped to mitigate climate change. For example, reforestation efforts, the adoption of renewable energy sources, and improvements in energy efficiency have all contributed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and slowing the rate of climate change.

3. Human activities and extreme weather

While it’s challenging to directly attribute a reduction in extreme weather events to specific human activities, there are actions that can reduce the impacts of such events. For instance, improved disaster preparedness, early warning systems, and resilient infrastructure can lessen the severity of extreme weather’s effects.

4. Comprehensiveness of Assumptions

Scientific research aims to be as comprehensive as possible, but it’s true that assumptions are based on the current state of knowledge. As new data becomes available, these assumptions can be refined, and conclusions can be updated.

5. Trust in Scientific Conclusions

While it’s important to approach scientific conclusions with a critical eye, especially given the complexity of the climate system, the consensus among scientists is built on a robust and extensive body of evidence. This consensus is not static but evolves as our understanding improves.

6. Undiscovered and Unobservable Factors

The scientific community acknowledges that there may be undiscovered or unobservable factors that could influence the climate. The process of science involves continually seeking to identify and understand these factors.

7. Historical Evidence of Mitigation

There is historical evidence that certain human activities have contributed to the mitigation of climate change. For example, the Montreal Protocol, which phased out the production of ozone-depleting substances, is considered successful in mitigating a specific type of environmental damage, although it’s not directly related to climate change mitigation.

In conclusion, while it’s essential to recognize the limitations and uncertainties in scientific research, the evidence supporting the role of human activities in climate change is substantial and has been gathered through rigorous methods. At the same time, there is also evidence of human activities that have contributed to mitigating climate change and reducing the impacts of extreme weather events. The scientific process is self-correcting, and as new data and understanding emerge, our conclusions will continue to be refined.

Chen Ya’s NOTE: At the moment, AI can’t answer all the questions, we can’t rely on its answers and we need to use our own judgement.

But AI’s powerful search capabilities can help us add perspective to the problem and identify our own knowledge blind spots to in order to check for gaps.

Of course, questioning AI requires more imagination and the ability to correlate knowledge.

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