Which phenomena are closely monitored to understand climate change?

Monitoring temperature and precipitation patterns is fundamental to understanding climate change because these factors directly reflect the state of the Earth’s climate system. Temperature increases can indicate global warming trends, while changes in precipitation patterns can reveal shifts in weather patterns that may be associated with climate change.

Data collected on temperature trends helps scientists identify warming or cooling trends in various regions over time. Precipitation patterns are also critical because they affect water availability, agriculture, and ecosystems. Variability in rainfall can lead to droughts or flooding, both of which are influenced by changes in the climate. Together, these two elements provide a clear picture of how climate change is affecting weather systems, supporting the broader understanding of global climate change impacts.

Other phenomena, while important in their own contexts, do not directly correlate with climate change monitoring in the same way. For example, earthquake frequencies and seismic activity mostly pertain to geological processes rather than atmospheric changes. Solar activity and sunspot cycles are relevant for understanding solar influences on climate but are not as directly tied to human-induced climate change. Ocean currents and tides do play roles in climate systems but are more about oceanographic studies rather than direct indicators of climate change trends.