what is climate change caused by

Climate change is caused by a phenomenon known as the greenhouse effect, which is the way that certain atmospheric gases trap heat that would otherwise radiate back into space. Human activity has pushed the greenhouse effect to new levels since the mid- to late-19th century, resulting in a planet that is warmer than at any other point in human history. The main driver of climate change is the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which are primarily caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. The four major gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) . Natural causes, such as changes in solar radiation or volcanic activity, are estimated to have contributed less than 0.1°C to total warming between 1890 and 2010. However, natural factors such as volcanic eruptions, changes in the orbit of the Earth, and shifts in the Earths crust can also cause changes in the climate system. Nonetheless, scientific evidence shows that human activity and the release of greenhouse gases are the primary cause of climate change.