How do we know climate change is caused by humans? [video] | Hacker News Reader

How do we know climate change is caused by humans? [video]

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I've always found it an oddly moot point whether humans caused climate change. If the climate changes past habitability, we won't be less dead because we didn't cause it, although I suppose it should let you know whether you could hope to change anything by changing human activity, but with various countries not agreeing and the problem of getting the entire race doing one thing, etc., I think we (or a decent subset of rich countries) would have to do some kind of large scale intervention besides trying to change human activity, like massive carbon capture.

It matters because you shouldn’t gaslight and lie to people. Articulate and intelligent people see through this, and it won’t help your cause.

We should all do our best to be honest with what we know, what we think we know, and what we don’t. Especially on the things that are important to us.

> It matters because you shouldn’t gaslight and lie to people. Articulate and intelligent people see through this, and it won’t help your cause.

I think the first is not a truism at all, and the second is profoundly incorrect. Misinformation is effective, especially at motivating behavior.

Yeah, that really worked out when they lied about the effectiveness of masks in reducing the spread of respiratory illness in the spring of 2020.

> although I suppose it should let you know whether you could hope to change anything by changing human activity

This is the discussion. As I understand "climate change deniers" aren't denying things like the increase global temperatures or the rising of sea level. The science is clear that these are happening. They are denying that human behavior changed or changes anything. I agree it should be a moot point whether humans caused it or not as there are other reasons to make changes but being inconvenienced is hard and spending money isn't profitable. It's a lot easier to bike shed.

> This is the discussion. As I understand "climate change deniers" aren't denying things like the increase global temperatures or the rising of sea level.

This is the [slight majority] discussion [now]. 5-10 years ago was an atrocious level of "no climate change" is happening that you will still find among half of Republicans in the US.

More like the vocal minority in my experience. Certainly not half.

44% doubtful or dismissive

https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/republica...

When the proposed solutions are trading emission rights and the growth must continue because "the economy" it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Is it a problem or is it not? Even if we can't get China to do anything shouldn't we do everything we can anyway?

We're loving the northern lights being more frequent and visible further south, and increased sun activity is the cause. But that is never part of the discussion regarding climate change.

I'm not very invested in the issue, I'm a hermit either way. But it does feel more like a cash grab than the civilization ending event some make it out to be.

Nothing grows forever and the planet isn't going to multiply anytime soon. The sooner we get that the better, climate change or not. That's the discussion I'd like to see.

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