Final answer:
James Hansen, Susan Solomon, Michael Mann, Katherine Hayhoe, and Richard Lindzen are five scientists who have made significant contributions to our understanding of climate change.
Step-by-step explanation:
The five scientists that have been instrumental in developing our understanding of climate change are:
- James Hansen: He is a climate scientist who first warned of the dangers of global warming in the 1980s. His research and testimony before Congress helped raise awareness about climate change.
- Susan Solomon: She is an atmospheric and climate scientist who played a key role in the discovery of the cause of the formation of the ozone hole over Antarctica. She has also authored important papers on climate change.
- Michael Mann: He is a climate scientist known for his studies on past climate change using proxy data. His work on reconstructing temperature records has provided valuable insights into historical climate patterns.
- Katherine Hayhoe: She is a climate scientist who has been actively involved in communicating the science of climate change to the public. Her expertise in climate modeling has helped bridge the gap between scientific research and public understanding.
- Richard Lindzen: He is a retired atmospheric physicist who has contributed to the understanding of climate variability. While his views on climate change have been controversial, his research on the dynamics of the atmosphere has made important contributions to the field.