Final answer:
The increase in human-produced greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide, since the Industrial Revolution has caused significant climate change, a fact supported by over 97% of climate scientists. The burning of fossil fuels for industry and transportation is the main culprit behind the increased concentrations of these gases in the atmosphere.
Step-by-step explanation:
Since the Industrial Revolution, the increase in pollutants, notably greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, produced by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, has caused significant climate change. This period marked a shift in manufacturing processes and the use of energy, where the burning of coal and, later, petroleum became widespread to power steam engines and automobiles, respectively. This transition has led to an increase in carbon emissions, contributing to a warmer climate, rising sea levels, and more severe weather patterns.
The scientific consensus is robust; over 97% of climate scientists agree that the warming observed over the past centuries is primarily attributable to human activities. Organizations across scientific disciplines recognize the need for immediate action to reduce these emissions. The historical climate variability was driven by natural causes, but the recent surge in global temperatures aligns with industrialization and the increase of human-produced carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
In summary, human actions since the Industrial Revolution have altered the natural carbon cycle, greatly increasing the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and consequently, driving the climate change that we continue to experience today.