Question

I need help fast plz

Paleoclimatology is the study of ancient climates. A region's present day or ancient climate is determined by taking several factors into account, including characteristics of the region’s atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere. Since direct observations of ancient climates are not available before the 19th century, paleoclimatologists rely remnants of evidence, such as sediments found in lake beds, ice cores, and tree rings. This information is then used to create mathematical climate models.

Why do you think it’s important for scientists to study Earth’s past climates? What information are scientists likely to gain from investigating the Earth’s past? Since the data obtained by paleoclimatologists is not based on direct observations, can their discoveries and models be trusted? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Climate changes arise when the Earth has an energy imbalance which causes the Earth to gain or to lose heat.

Looking at the past climatic changes helps us to understand how the climate of the Earth reacts to external forcings. The study of paleoclimates have enabled us to understand that the climate of the Earth can shift between different climate states in just a few number of years or a few decades. The studies of the past climate changes also enables us to understand how humans might have affected the climate in the past and in the present day.

As the data obtained from these observations is not clearly direct, we cannot consider it to be highly authentic. As we know, many a times, scientists form theories in a way that benefit their own perspectives.