Human Impacts on Climate

Evaluate the evidence for anthropogenic causes of climate change, focusing on the correlation between atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and fossil fuel consumption.

Describe the uncertainties inherent in the climate evidence base and the complexity of Earth systems.

Explain how human activities, such as burning coal, oil, and gas for electricity, transport, and industry, contribute significant amounts of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

Analyze the large rise in carbon dioxide concentration and average global surface temperature over the past 150 years.

Understand that the scientific consensus links the rise in greenhouse gas concentrations directly to increased global temperatures, going beyond mere correlation.

Differentiate between short-term weather patterns and long-term climate, identifying climate change through shifts in air temperature, rainfall, sunshine, and wind speed.

Describe how climate scientists use computer models based on physical laws of mass and energy to analyze and predict climate change.

Explain why predicting climate change involves uncertainties, including incomplete global data and the need to make assumptions about future greenhouse gas emissions.

Explain the importance of scientists publishing their findings for peer review and critical evaluation by the broader scientific community.