“An informed citizenry is at the heart of  democracy.” Thomas Jefferson

The scientific evidence that methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) are causing an effect on our climate is robust and widely supported by climate scientists. Key pieces of evidence include:

1. Historical Data: Ice core data shows a clear correlation between CO₂ and temperature over hundreds of thousands of years. When CO₂ concentrations rise, global temperatures rise, and when CO₂ levels drop, temperatures decrease. This relationship is well-documented in studies of ice cores from places like Antarctica and Greenland.
2. Greenhouse Gas Effect: CO₂ and methane are both greenhouse gases, which trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. The basic physics of the greenhouse effect, where certain gases absorb infrared radiation and re-radiate it back to Earth’s surface, is well-understood and was first described in the 19th century. Since then, further research has confirmed that increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases, particularly CO₂ and methane, amplify this effect, leading to warming.
3. Human Contribution: Studies have shown that the rise in CO₂ and methane levels in the atmosphere since the industrial revolution is due to human activities. Fossil fuel burning, deforestation, and industrial activities have increased these gases. For example, the carbon isotopes in the CO₂ released from fossil fuels are distinct from those in natural sources, providing a clear fingerprint of human activity.
4. Global Temperature Trends: Since the late 19th century, average global temperatures have risen sharply, and this warming correlates closely with the increase in greenhouse gas emissions from human activity. Multiple datasets from organizations such as NASA and NOAA show that the Earth’s temperature has increased by approximately 1.2°C (2.2°F) since pre-industrial times, with a significant acceleration in warming since the 1970s.
5. Climate Models: Climate models that take into account the effects of greenhouse gases, such as CO₂ and methane, predict the current and future temperature rise we are experiencing. These models, when run with only natural factors (like volcanic activity or solar radiation), do not match the observed warming. However, when human-driven greenhouse gas emissions are included in the models, they predict the observed warming trends with high accuracy.
6. Scientific Consensus: Over 97% of climate scientists agree that human activity is the primary driver of global climate change, based on evidence from numerous studies across multiple scientific disciplines. This consensus is reflected in reports from major scientific organizations, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which documents the evidence linking human activities to climate change.

Some key sources for this scientific evidence include:

• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Reports: The IPCC releases comprehensive reports summarizing the current state of knowledge about climate change, which includes the role of human-induced emissions in global warming.
• NASA and NOAA: Both NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies and NOAA provide data showing the link between human activity and climate change, including temperature data and atmospheric CO₂ levels.
• Peer-Reviewed Journals: Studies published in journals like Nature, Science, and the Journal of Climate provide extensive data and models showing how human activities, including emissions of CO₂ and methane, affect the Earth’s climate.

In short, the link between human activities, particularly the emission of CO₂ and methane, and climate change is well-established through direct measurements, theoretical models, and the scientific consensus.