20.1: What Is the Climate System?
What Is the Climate System?
Recall that climate Links to an external site. is the long-term weather pattern across a region. It is important to emphasize the “long-term” portion of the definition to establish that climate is different from weather (Figure 20.1). Weather Links to an external site. is the local and short-term patterns in temperature, humidity, precipitation, atmospheric pressure, wind, and other meteorological variables. Weather fluctuates throughout the day, week, month, and year such that it is difficult to see trends beyond the random noise in the system. If you examine weather over the long-term, we can begin to see patterns across time and geography that help to better understand and identify the factors that influence the climate system.
Figure 20.1: Here’s one way to visualize it: Weather tells you what to wear each day; climate tells you what types of clothes to have in your closet. (Public Domain; NOAA Links to an external site.)
The climate system Links to an external site. is the interconnected network of variables that influence the earth’s climate, which includes components from the five Earth spheres (geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, biosphere, including humans), and the exosphere (beyond our planet). It is important to distinguish humans from other life for several reasons, primarily because many of our activities are unique amongst life (including industrialization Links to an external site.) and it clarifies our role in climate change. The science responsible for examining past, current, and future climate is incredibly complex and interdisciplinary. The history of climate is recorded within rocks, sediments, fossils ,and ice, and climate can be altered by geologic events and influenced by our use of geological resources such as fossil fuels Links to an external site.. Climate science is essential to understanding the dynamics and implications of future climate change, as well as attempting to combat or mitigate Links to an external site. the potential effects.
The science behind climate change is robust and well-studied; there is consensus Links to an external site. within the scientific community regarding the impact of humans on climate. The data demonstrate that humans are warming the climate at a rate faster than Earth has experienced in the last 55 million years. Unfortunately, within the broader population there are still many who deny the impact of humans on climate. This is likely related to factors beyond science, including economics, politics, the portrayal of science by the media, and the public’s overall scientific literacy. Here in California, regardless of your location, you have likely already experienced the effects of a changing climate. During the last decade, we have seen much of the state plagued by severe droughts and an increased number and intensity of wildfires, coastal communities are combating rising sea-level, and the snowpack of the Sierra Nevadas have become significantly reduced, affecting the water supply for 23,000,000 Californians.
A person who studies climate or climate science is typically referred to as a climatologist or climate scientist. However, there are many categories of climate scientists, many of which study climate through the different Earth spheres. For example, glaciologists, sedimentologists, oceanographers, and even paleontologists can be climate scientists. Each branch uniquely investigates Earth’s climate through time by studying ice cores, marine sediment cores, or rocks and fossils. Like many other geoscientists, working with other disciplines is common, with a heavy influence from both math and technology. Many are employed by universities where they teach and/or do research, and state and federal agencies, including geological surveys, like the California Geological Survey Links to an external site. or United State Geological Survey (USGS) Links to an external site.. Additional career pathways include environmental policy and legislation and consulting, or science communication via the private sector or state and federal agencies. Many of these career options require a college degree and postgraduate work. If you are interested in climate science talk to your geology instructor for advice. We recommend completing as many math and science courses as possible. Also, visit National Parks Links to an external site., CA State Parks Links to an external site., museums, gem & mineral shows, or join a local rock and mineral club. Typically, natural history museums will have wonderful displays of rocks, including those from your local region. Here in California, there are a number of large collections, including the San Diego Natural History Museum Links to an external site., Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Links to an external site., Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Links to an external site., and Kimball Natural History Museum Links to an external site.. Many colleges and universities also have their own collections/museums.
Many people are often overwhelmed with the impacts of climate change and ask “but what can I do?” Change can begin in your own communities: use the EPAs carbon footprint calculator Links to an external site.and see what you can start doing differently today. Support public officials who stand with science and are willing to adapt and formulate plans of action by voting. Begin a Climate Change club at your college and engage with the community and local organizations who advocate for environmental justice Links to an external site.. For more ways to reduce your impact on the environment, read this article from the Earth Institute at Columbia University Links to an external site..