Final answer:
Evidence of climate change is determined by analyzing long-term trends and patterns in weather data, differentiating between significant changes and random variations. Indicators like rising sea levels, an increase in extreme weather events, and shifting seasonal patterns can signal climate change, but would need to be supported by statistical evidence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Evidence of climate change in a given area over the past century can be deduced from long-term weather data. To distinguish true climate change from random variations in weather, one would look for consistent trends over a period of several decades, such as a gradual increase in average temperature, altered precipitation patterns, or changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. When assessing these factors, scientists use statistical tests to determine whether observed changes are significant and not just due to random fluctuations.
For example, a consistent rise in sea levels or an increase in the prevalence of heat waves could both serve as indicators of climate change. These changes could reflect a greater trend rather than just random weather variations. On the other hand, an isolated thunderstorm or a sudden cold snap does not necessarily signal climate change; these are examples of weather variations that could happen at any time, unrelated to long-term trends.
An individual's observations regarding weather patterns in their area might include more frequent hot days or a change in the timing of seasonal weather events, such as an earlier onset of spring. However, these observations would need to be supported by long-term data to confirm evidence of climate change.