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Climate change

1. Introduction

Climate change is one of the most contentious scientific issues of our time. At the heart of

this debate lies the question; is human activity, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, the main

driver of climate change? Or are natural climate variations to blame? This essay will

compellingly argue that the rampant burning of fossil fuels is the predominant cause of climate

change observed in recent decades. As we probe this complex topic, the intent is not to vilify

fossil fuels, which have undoubtedly advanced human progress. However, the adverse impacts

of unchecked fossil fuel consumption on the planet’s climate can no longer be ignored. Urgent

action is needed to mitigate further damage.

2. Background Information

To grasp the nuances of the climate change debate, some scientific background is

helpful. The greenhouse effect is a natural process that keeps the Earth’s surface warm, allowing

life to thrive (Xu et al. ). However, human activities since the industrial revolution have

intensified this effect, mainly by releasing heat-trapping greenhouse gases through fossil fuel

combustion. The link between climate change and greenhouse gas emissions has been firmly

established. The more greenhouse gases we pump into the atmosphere, the more heat is trapped,

causing global temperatures to rise steadily.

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Statistics paint a stark picture of the impact of human activities on the planet’s climate.

Global carbon emissions have skyrocketed due to our fossil fuel addiction (Fouquet et al. 473).

Consequently, each of the last four decades has been successively warmer than any preceding

decade since 1850. The year 2020 was among the three warmest years on record. Such data

reveals an unmistakable correlation between high emissions and rising temperatures. While

climate variability factors also play a role, scientists overwhelmingly agree human-induced

climate change is the dominant cause of observed warming.

3. Thesis

Our thesis is clear – the rampant burning of fossil fuels is the main driver of climate

change, drastically intensifying the greenhouse effect and causing global temperatures to rise at

an alarming rate.

4. Evidence Supporting Thesis

The evidence to support widespread human-induced climate change is far-reaching.

Rising global temperatures have led to shrinking polar ice sheets and glacier melt, rising sea

levels, warming oceans, and an uptick in extreme weather events. Such tangible climate impacts

substantiate that the Earth’s climate is warming rapidly (Allison et al. 707-740). What’s more,

leading scientific organizations like NASA, NOAA and the IPCC state unambiguously that

human activities, particularly fossil fuel use, are responsible for over 90% of observed warming

since the 1970's. These reputable scientific bodies emphasize the critical need to curb emissions

drastically. Their climate models predict dire long-term consequences if the status quo persists.
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Additionally, real-life examples showcase the havoc wreaked by climate change

worldwide. Prolonged droughts have devastated crop yields in Africa, melting Arctic sea ice

has caused starvation and population decline in Polar bears, and island nations like Tuvalu and

Kiribati face imminent extinction from rising seas. Such evidence vividly demonstrates the

human and environmental toll of excess greenhouse emissions. Calls for action from climate

activists highlight the existential threat posed by human-induced climate change.

5. Counter Arguments

In the interests of balance, counterarguments must be addressed. Some claim natural

climate variability from solar cycles drives warming cycles. Others argue climate models are

inaccurate, predicting warming that hasn’t yet occurred (Katzin et al. 103388). However, peer-

reviewed studies conclusively debunk such notions, reinforcing human activities as the

overriding factor influencing observed rising temperatures. While uncertainties exist, the

fundamental science underscoring human-caused climate change is well-established. Natural

fluctuations occur, but cannot explain the present scale and speed of warming. Our analysis

accommodates such nuances within the broader context.

6. Diction and Rhetorical Strategies

This essay employs a blend of formal language and climate jargon to establish command

of scientific concepts, alongside easy-to-grasp slang to ensure wider readership. By asserting

ethos through referencing leading scientists and organizations, we ground our analysis in

expertise. Appeals to emotion highlight climate change’s human toll, while facts, statistics and

logical reasoning reinforce our central argument. This multipronged strategy engages diverse

readers while bolstering the validity of our thesis.

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7. Conclusion

In closing, the evidence presented in this essay overwhelmingly implicates the rampant

burning of fossil fuels as the prime culprit intensifying climate change. The science is clear - by

spewing billions of tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, human activity, chiefly fossil

fuel use, has dramatically amplified the natural greenhouse effect, causing average global

temperatures to rise at an alarming rate. The ensuing environmental impacts underscore the

pressing need to curb emissions by transitioning from a fossil fuel-based economy to renewable

energy alternatives. As stewards of this planet with a moral obligation to future generations,

immediate collective action to mitigate climate change is an imperative.

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Works cited

Xu, Yue, and Guomin Cui. "Influence of spectral characteristics of the Earth's surface radiation

on the greenhouse effect: Principles and mechanisms." Atmospheric Environment 244

(2021): 117908.

Fouquet, Roger, and Ralph Hippe. "21. The transition from a fossil-fuel economy to a

knowledge economy." Handbook on green growth (2019): 473.

Allison, Ian, et al. "Ice sheets, glaciers, and sea level." Snow and ice-related hazards, risks, and

disasters. Elsevier, 2021. 707-740.

Katzin, David, Eldert J. van Henten, and Simon van Mourik. "Process-based greenhouse

climate models: Genealogy, current status, and future directions." Agricultural

Systems 198 (2022): 103388.