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How do we know Earth’s climate is changing?

Independent observations can constrain a climate explanation more strongly than one short record.

Earth & climateIntroduction · Selected readingBeginner friendly
Background and goal

No prior study required. Read the assigned passage; the route is an introduction, not a survey of the whole subject.

Compare temperature, ice and sea-level observations; state what each measures and the time span it covers.

Your pathway

4 steps · 3 hours
  1. 01

    Begin in fifteen minutes

    0.25h · week 1
    Reading notes and task
    First fifteen minutesWrite your initial answer to “How do we know Earth’s climate is changing?” in three sentences. Keep it to compare with your final answer.
    Your outputThree-sentence starting answer
  2. 02

    Read the argument

    1h · week 1
    Climate Change: Evidence

    NASA · reference

    Evidence overview and the sections on warming, ice and sea level

    Free full text

    Open the reading
    Reading notes and task

    Climate Change: Evidence. Independent observations can constrain a climate explanation more strongly than one short record.

    Try thisRead Evidence overview and the sections on warming, ice and sea level. Mark one claim, its reason and a passage you do not yet understand.
    Your outputAnnotated argument
    Check your understanding

    Answer this question in your own words: How do we know Earth’s climate is changing?

    Hint

    Name the claim, then explain why a reader might accept it.

    Compare with an example answer

    Independent observations can constrain a climate explanation more strongly than one short record.

    What to look for

    • States a claim that addresses the question
    • Connects the claim to a passage or observation
    • Separates the author’s argument from personal agreement

    Common mistake: Summarising a biography instead of explaining the argument.

    Start this pathway to keep your answers in My learning.

  3. 03

    Try the idea

    1h · week 1
    Reading notes and task
    Try thisCompare temperature, ice and sea-level observations; state what each measures and the time span it covers.
    Your outputWorked example
    Check your understanding

    What would make your activity a convincing example?

    Hint

    Compare temperature, ice and sea-level observations; state what each measures and the time span it covers.

    Compare with an example answer

    A useful response carries out the task: Compare temperature, ice and sea-level observations; state what each measures and the time span it covers. It records the observation or passage used and explains how it bears on the question.

    What to look for

    • Completes the specific task
    • Shows evidence or reasoning rather than only a conclusion
    • Identifies an alternative explanation or reading

    Common mistake: Presenting an opinion without showing the example it rests on.

    Start this pathway to keep your answers in My learning.

  4. 04

    Explain what changed

    0.75h · week 1
    Reading notes and task
    Try thisRevise your initial answer. Include one passage, one reason and one limit: Weather at one place and time is not a measure of a long-term global trend.
    Your outputRevised answer with a reading reference
    Check your understanding

    What is one conclusion this reading does not establish?

    Hint

    Test the boundary: Weather at one place and time is not a measure of a long-term global trend.

    Compare with an example answer

    Weather at one place and time is not a measure of a long-term global trend.

    What to look for

    • States a specific limit
    • Explains why the reading does not warrant the stronger conclusion
    • Distinguishes a limitation from dismissing the work

    Common mistake: Treating a useful interpretation as an unrestricted fact.

    Start this pathway to keep your answers in My learning.

All 1 resources

Background, different viewpoints, and further reading.

  • Climate Change: Evidence

    NASAreferencecore

    Independent observations can constrain a climate explanation more strongly than one short record.

    Evidence overview and the sections on warming, ice and sea level

Continue learning

  • Climate and feedback

    Introduces the vocabulary and a small example before the longer study.

    Earth & climateSome background

  • Water and land

    Introduces the vocabulary and a small example before the longer study.

    Earth & climateSome background