Over the history of the earth, the climate has experienced cycles that result in warming and cooling of the earth’s temperature. This example can be seen through the recorded ice ages throughout history. Scientists have cited five significant ice ages through the course of history in which cooler global temperatures were experienced. Logic would suggest that if the globe can experience long periods of cooler temperatures, they can also experience long periods of warmer temperatures. The earth has always warmed and cooled and the rise of temperature during the 20th century is within the normal range of temperature fluctuation in the past 3,000 years. 

In addition to the history of natural global temperature change that has occurred in the history of the earth, we must also consider the history that shows that a rise in temperature has actually preceded a rise in CO2. This stands to reason that the rise in CO2 can not necessarily be determined to be the cause of the global rise in temperature. 

Aside from the historical evidence available to show that climate change may not be able to be solely attributed to human behavior, scientists do not entirely stand on the same side of this debate. 

While 97% of scientists agree that climate change is occurring, only 84% agree that human behavior is the cause. While this does not represent a large portion of scientists it does provide evidence that not all scientists agree that global warming is a human behavior problem. 

The main problem with believing that climate change is a human created problem is the behavior change that blaming human behavior causes. Large volumes of time and money are spent on changing policy and behavior in an effort to reduce climate change. Ultimately this may not be necessary or effective. 

The historical evidence supports the answer to the debate that human behavior is not solely responsible for the global rise in temperature.