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GPT-5Oct 22, 2026openai/gpt-5-2025-08-07
Is climate change real?
Yes. Climate change is real, and the main driver of the recent warming is human activity—especially the burning of fossil fuels that increases heat‑trapping gases like carbon dioxide and methane.
How we know:
•Temperatures: Global average surface temperatures have risen by roughly 1.2°C (about 2.2°F) since the late 1800s.
•Greenhouse gases: CO2 has climbed from ~280 ppm pre‑industrial to over 420 ppm in recent years, strengthening the greenhouse effect.
•Oceans and ice: The oceans are storing record amounts of heat; glaciers and the Greenland/Antarctic ice sheets are losing mass.
•Sea level: Global sea level has risen about 8 inches (20 cm) since 1900 and is accelerating.
•Extremes and ecosystems: Heat waves, heavy rainfall events, and wildfire conditions are becoming more frequent and intense; seasons and species ranges are shifting.
These findings are supported by multiple independent datasets and every major scientific academy and climate assessment worldwide. If you’d like, I can share accessible sources or dive into evidence on any one of these points.