Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 3 hrs ago
Review finds broader evidence of human-caused climate change
A review led by climate scientist Benjamin Santer finds stronger evidence of human-caused climate change than was available in 2009.
The review brings together earlier studies rather than presenting new measurements.
Scientists look for patterns that distinguish the effects of greenhouse gases from those of the Sun or volcanoes.
Evidence now includes changes in ocean saltiness, snow cover, clouds, drought, river flow and the seasonal cycle, as well as temperatures.
One pattern is a warming lower atmosphere alongside a cooling stratosphere, which scientists predicted before measurements confirmed it.
The review examines the science behind a 2009 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health; the agency reversed that decision in February 2026.
Surface warming slowed during the first decade of the 2000s, but the review says evidence of human influence extends far beyond surface temperatures.
A major review finds that evidence of human-caused climate change is much broader than it was in 2009.
The review identifies human-caused patterns in ocean saltiness, snow cover, cloud cover, drought and the atmosphere.
The researchers say the scientific evidence supporting the US Environmental Protection Agency’s 2009 greenhouse-gas finding is now far stronger.
The EPA reversed that finding in February 2026.
The review synthesizes earlier studies rather than reporting new measurements.
- Who
- Climate scientist Benjamin Santer led the review, with co-authors from several universities.
- What
- The review finds broader evidence of human-caused climate change than was available in 2009.
- When
- Published on October 12, 2026; the EPA reversed its 2009 finding in February 2026.
- Where
- The evidence covers Earth’s climate, from the atmosphere to the oceans.
- Why
- The review assesses the scientific basis for the EPA’s finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health.
Climate science critics
Review authors
Evidence
Climate science critics
Critics say the case for human-caused climate change rests on a small number of temperature studies.
Review authors
The authors say evidence now shows human fingerprints across many parts of the climate system.
Interpretation
Climate science critics
Some critics have treated the slowdown in surface warming during the first decade of the 2000s as evidence that people were not changing the climate.
Review authors
The review describes climate fingerprints in multiple measurements and climate features.
Syukuro Manabe and Richard Wetherald predicted a pattern of warming in the lower atmosphere and cooling in the stratosphere.
The IPCC concluded that the balance of evidence suggested a discernible human influence on global climate.
The EPA determined that greenhouse gases endanger public health.
The EPA reversed its 2009 decision.
Earth.com published its report on the review.
- Review leader
- Benjamin Santer
- EPA finding
- Greenhouse gases endanger public health
- Original finding
- 2009
- EPA reversal
- February 2026
- Climate pattern
- Lower atmosphere warming while the stratosphere cools
- Review approach
- Synthesis of earlier studies, not new measurements
What people are saying
The claim that findings of human influence on climate are like a house of cards, resting on a very small number of fingerprint studies with surface temperature, might have had some validity 30 years ago.
It’s not a valid claim now.
Human fingerprints on climate are now ubiquitous, identifiable from the top of the atmosphere to the depths of the world’s oceans.
Sources
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