Earth's temperature

Earth's temperature is a balancing act

Earth's temperature depends on the balance between energy entering and leaving the planet's system. when incoming energy from the sun is absorbed by the Earth system, Earth warms. When the sun's energy is reflected back into space, Earth avoids warming. When absorbed energy is released back into space, Earth  cools. Many factors, both natural and human, can cause changes in Earth's energy balance: including -

Variations in the sun's energy reaching Earth

Changes in the reflectivity of Earth’s atmosphere and surface

Changes in the greenhouse effect, which affects the amount of heat retained by Earth’s atmosphere

These factors have caused Earth's climate to change many times.

Recent climate changes, however, cannot be explained by natural causes alone.

Research indicates that natural causes do not explain most observed warming, especially warming since the mid-20th century. Rather, it is extremely likely that human activities have been the dominant cause of that warming