predicting climate change

feedback mechanisms make predicting climate change difficult

what is proxy data

it is qualitative

examples of proxy data

tree rings-thickness of rings indicate growth

ice cores- contain various gases which can show the atmosphere through periods of time

historical data- diaries. harvesting data- unreliable exaggerated- subjectivity

pollen- shows us type of species which have different range of tolerance.

ocean sediment- algae eat carbon 12- frustrations use carbon 13 if there’s less carbon 12

combined effect of process

natural processes are interconnected, so one change may have unexpected effects.

what is there a delay in?

cause and effect

why is predicting future climate change difficult (3)

missing data,

complex systems- solar orientation

the unknown of the future

how has prediction become more reliable?

data is collected more regularly

collected at more sites

ways of data collections

satellites- low earth orbit and IR

argo floats

buoys

how does the argo float work

real time data

depends to drifting depth - 1000m

drifts for 8-10 days

descends to profiling depth - 2000m

begins measuring temperature and salinity

continues measuring on ascent

what is hind casting