There is overwhelming scientific evidence that human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, have led to an increase in atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases, which are causing the Earth's climate to warm. This warming is leading to a wide range of impacts, including rising sea levels, more frequent and severe heatwaves, changes to rainfall patterns, and more intense storms.

Australia is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, with a climate that is already marked by extremes and variability. The country has experienced more frequent and severe heatwaves, longer fire seasons, and more intense rainfall events in recent years, which are consistent with the projections of climate models.

There is also strong evidence that the seas are rising, with global average sea levels having risen by over 20 cm since the late 19th century. This rise is primarily due to the thermal expansion of the oceans as they warm, as well as the melting of glaciers and ice sheets.

The scientific consensus on these issues is clear, with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stating that it is extremely likely (95-100% probability) that human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, are the main cause of the observed warming since the mid-20th century.

If you are looking for academic references on this topic, a good place to start is the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5), which provides a comprehensive overview of the state of the science on climate change. You can also find a wealth of information on the websites of scientific organizations such as NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.