Natural Causes:
- Solar Radiation: Variations in solar activity, such as sunspots and solar flares, can affect the amount of energy reaching Earth's atmosphere.
- Volcanic Eruptions: Volcanic eruptions release large amounts of aerosols and gases into the atmosphere, which can block sunlight and cool the planet.
- Earth's Orbital Cycles: Periodic changes in Earth's orbit around the Sun can lead to subtle variations in the amount of solar energy received.
Human Activities (Anthropogenic Causes):
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas), deforestation, and agricultural practices release greenhouse gases (e.g., carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide) into the atmosphere, trapping heat and warming the planet.
- Aerosol Emissions: Aerosols from industrial processes, burning biomass, and vehicle exhaust can reflect sunlight and cool the planet. However, they can also trap heat in the atmosphere under some conditions.
- Urbanization: Cities and urban areas have a higher concentration of buildings, roads, and other infrastructure that absorb and emit heat, creating urban heat island effects.
- Deforestation: The clearing of forests removes trees that absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. This reduces the planet's capacity to absorb greenhouse gases.
- Agricultural Practices: Livestock production, rice cultivation, and certain fertilizers release methane and nitrous oxide, potent greenhouse gases.
Feedback Mechanisms:
- Melting of Polar Ice and Glaciers: As temperatures rise, polar ice and glaciers melt, exposing darker surfaces that absorb more sunlight and further warm the planet.
- Release of Methane from Permafrost: As permafrost (frozen soil) thaws, it releases methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.
- Positive Water Vapor Feedback: Higher temperatures lead to increased evaporation, resulting in more water vapor in the atmosphere. Water vapor is a greenhouse gas, so it further amplifies warming.
Additional Factors:
- Land-Ocean Interactions: Changes in ocean currents and sea levels can affect heat distribution and precipitation patterns.
- Clouds: Clouds can reflect sunlight and cool the planet, but they can also trap heat and warm it. The net effect of clouds on climate is complex and uncertain.