A linear warming trend plus natural cycles can be mistaken for a step function, but physically the global warming is caused by an external radiative forcing (
i.e. human greenhouse gas emissions).
Not exact matches
Granted, there are more benefits to reducing particulate and
greenhouse gas emissions than just climate change,
i.e. PM 2.5 which can be stuck in the
human lung and cause cancer / respiratory issues, SO2 which contributes to acid rain (we've already eliminated the majority of this problem), as well as soot (nobody wants the surrounding area covered in ash).
Human water vapour
emissions are irrelevant, as water vapour is in dynamic equilibrium with ocean water, an equilibrium controlled by global mean temperature,
i.e., other
greenhouse gases etc..
But the IPCC concerns itself with consideration of anthropogenic (
i.e. man - made) global warming (AGW) as a result of
emissions of
greenhouse gases (notably carbon dioxide, CO2) from
human activities.
First, while the early 20th century warming was likely predominantly naturally - caused (
i.e. low volcanic activity and increasing solar activity), there was also a significant
human contribution as
greenhouse gas emissions began to ramp up.
We support educating the public and policymakers in government and industry about the harmful
human health effects of global climate change, and about the immediate and long - term health benefits associated with reducing
greenhouse gas emissions (
i.e., heat - trapping pollution) and taking other preventive and protective measures that contribute to sustainability.