Sean Makiwa

In today’s world, it is almost impossible to avoid the constant headlines declaring a ‘climate crisis’ whereby we are told that human activity, specifically the emission of greenhouse gases from industries and our lifestyles, is causing catastrophic global warming. This narrative is presented as a settled fact. But what if it is not? What if the climate change being experienced is part of Earth’s grand, natural cycles, rhythms that have been in motion for millennia and are far beyond our control?

The popular narrative is a compelling one, but it is built on a foundation that deserves scrutiny. I believe that while the climate is indeed changing, the assertion that humanity is the primary driver is not entirely correct. The planet is not a fragile, static system; it is a dynamic and ever-evolving body that has undergone dramatic shifts long before the first factory was ever built.

A History of Change Written in Ice and Rock

One of the most powerful arguments against the man-made global warming theory is Earth’s own history.

Our planet’s climate has always been in a state of flux. Geologists and palaeoclimatologists know that Earth has swung between intense ice ages and warm interglacial periods for hundreds of thousands of years.

The Roman Warm Period (around 250 BC to 400 AD) and the Medieval Warm Period (around 950 AD to 1250 AD) were both times of significant warming, allowing Vikings to farm in Greenland, a land now largely covered in ice. These periods occurred without industrial-scale CO2 emissions.

Conversely, the Little Ice Age (from about 1300 to 1850) brought colder temperatures to many parts of the world.

These events show that powerful, natural forces have always dictated our climate. To ignore this extensive history and blame modern changes exclusively on human activity is to overlook the most fundamental truth about our planet: its natural state is one of constant change.

The Sun: The Ultimate Climate Driver

When searching for the cause of warming, it seems logical to look to the giant furnace in our sky: the Sun. The Sun’s energy output is not constant. It fluctuates in predictable cycles, such as the 11-year sunspot cycle, and other longer-term cycles that can have a profound impact on Earth’s temperature.

Many researchers who are skeptical of the mainstream narrative point to solar activity as a far more likely driver of climate change than CO2. The correlation between solar activity and Earth’s temperatures over centuries is remarkably strong—in many cases, much stronger than the correlation with CO2. It is reasonable to suggest that this massive star, which governs everything from our seasons to life itself, has a greater influence on our climate than a trace gas in the atmosphere.

Questioning the Narrative: Voices of Dissent

This perspective is not just speculation; it is shared by numerous scientists and influential figures who have dared to question the so-called ‘consensus’. These voices are often marginalized, but their arguments are based on data and a commitment to scientific inquiry.

Dr. Roy Spencer, a climatologist and former NASA scientist, has been a prominent voice suggesting that natural climate variability is a more significant factor than is commonly acknowledged. He stated, “I think it is more likely that the warming is mainly natural. But I have no way to prove that. Nor do they have any way to prove that the warming is mainly man-made.” This highlights the deep uncertainty that is often glossed over in public discourse.

Many powerful political leaders have expressed similar skepticism. U.S. President Donald J. Trump famously questioned the man-made climate change narrative on numerous occasions, once stating, “I am not a big believer in man-made climate change.” His perspective reflects a sentiment held by many who see the climate agenda as being driven by political and economic interests rather than pure science.

These are not isolated opinions. A significant number of experts continue to argue that the computer models used to predict catastrophic warming are flawed, that they overestimate the sensitivity of the climate to CO2, and that they fail to properly account for natural variables like cloud cover and solar cycles.

Conclusion

In conclusion it should be stated that the Earth is a complex system, and to reduce its intricate climate dynamics to a single variable—human-emitted CO2—is a gross oversimplification of a complex topic. The planet has warmed and cooled on its own for billions of years. The forces of nature, from solar cycles to oceanic currents and volcanic activity, are immensely powerful.

Instead of accepting a narrative of fear and blame, we must have the courage to ask tough questions. We must look at the historical data, acknowledge the uncertainties, and demand an open and honest debate. The climate is changing, just as it always has and always will. But the idea that we can control it by regulating carbon dioxide is a theory, not an unquestionable fact.

Sean Makiwa is a 19-year-old thinker and orator from Masvingo doing his ‘A’ Levels at Prince Edward High School in Harare. He perceives life as a grand chessboard, where every choice is a strategic move toward a greater purpose. Through the art of public speaking, he shares his vision, seeking to inspire others to see the profound patterns and possibilities within their own lives. The views expressed herein are expressly his own, and do not reflect EnviroPress Zimbabwe’s point of view.