Climate fingerprint research confirmed

Thirty years of climate fingerprint research have gathered strong evidence that global warming is caused by greenhouse gases. Scientists say this evidence is clear and urge policies to reduce emissions.

New study responds to controversy

Researchers Benjamin Santer of the University of East Anglia and Susan Solomon published a synthesis of thirty years of climate attribution on 12 October 2026 in Earth's Future. This came in response to a report by the US Department of Energy that had questioned these methods in July 2025.

Human-caused warming has strengthened

The evidence of human-caused global warming has grown stronger since 2009, according to the five co-authors of the study. Their findings cover changes in both the atmosphere and the oceans, as well as extreme weather events.

Atmosphere shows oldest fingerprint

The atmosphere shows the oldest fingerprint of human-caused climate change. Models have predicted for over fifty years that the troposphere, the lower layer of the atmosphere where we live, would warm, while the stratosphere just above it would cool.

Satellites track climate patterns

Satellites measure this dual movement of warming and cooling. An increase in solar activity would warm both layers at the same time. Susan Solomon and her co-authors see the current pattern as the signature of greenhouse gases.

Recent years show clear warming trend

Since 2009, the ten hottest years ever recorded have followed one after another. This shows that the human impact on climate is becoming more visible compared to natural climate variations.

Simulations help identify climate signals

Computing centers run many simulations using the same model. This allows scientists to measure how much climate change happens naturally and compare it to actual observed changes.