Anthropogenic, or human-caused climate change, is a topic frequently discussed w

Question

Anthropogenic, or human-caused climate change, is a topic frequently discussed within all fields of science, as well as by the media and general public. However, those not directly involved in this line of research may not be familiar with the various forms of indirect evidence used to study past climates, examine modern climate fluctuations, and to also predict future climate change. These forms of measurement pose a unique challenge both in how they are collected and also in how they are interpreted. Through a better understanding of these data, you can gain critical insight into past climate records dating thousands, and even millions, of years ago. During Seminar, various forms of data used to support the theory of climate change will be discussed, as well as how these data are collected. Gaps in the evidence and how those gaps are, or could be, addressed in the future will also be reviewed.

Write and submit a short paper. In a 400-word paper, discuss the questions listed for the live seminar in full and complete sentences.

What is a direct measurement? Can you come up with any examples?

What is an indirect measurement? Can you come up with any examples? Why are these types of measurements necessary?

What types of measurements indicate that naturally occurring climate change has occurred in the past?

How were these measurements collected?

What are some of the challenges associated with collecting data over large periods of time (i.e., 100s of years)?

How has technology enhanced our ability to collect the data necessary to understand climate change?

What is the difference between naturally occurring climate change and anthropogenic climate change?

After reviewing the resources above, do you feel there is enough evidence to support anthropogenic global warming? Why or why not?

Explanation / Answer

1)Direct measurement is the type of measurement where, we can obtain data directly from some natural phenomena which are afected directly because of climate change.

Three major measureable aspect of climatic change are:-

1. Temperature     2. Precipitation        3. Wind

2)Indirect measurements are those measureable aspects which have indirect link with the climatic change. As we know that all things in nature are interconnected and change in climate will have a cascading effect on other aspects.

Indirect measureable aspets happen due to change in direct measureable aspects like temperature and rain.

Examples: Soil microorganism population, Soil microbes and plant interaction, Ocean currents, Frequency of such changes.

3) The Indirect methods provide evidences that this type of changes have occured early too.

4) Direct measureable aspects can be collected via modern technology using satellite sensing

and indirect can be colleted via satellite imaging and also by research in phenology.

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