Distinguishing causal relationships from mere statistical associations in coupled human and geophysical systems is challenging because of system complexity, feedbacks, non-stationarity, missing data, and spatial and temporal scale mismatches in data. Yet, these challenges must be overcome to advance both science and policy. This session showcases advances in the study of coupled human-geophysical systems, with a special focus on the determination of causal linkages. We welcome submissions that include applications of study designs from different disciplines, including econometrics, statistics, and computer science, as well as those representing interdisciplinary approaches from physical, ecological, and social sciences. We would like to particularly encourage submissions leveraging emerging data sources (e.g., remote sensing, social sensing, or citizen science); addressing non-stationarity and feedbacks within causal investigations; or combining social and environmental data to investigate causal relations.