Climate science seeks to understand how the Earth’s atmospheric conditions and other factors influence its overall temperature. It uses data and models from multiple disciplines such as atmospheric science, oceanography, geology, and Earth system modeling.
For example, atmospheric models use computer simulations to calculate how radiation heats the atmosphere. They can be simple (such as a radiative transfer model, which treats the surface of the Earth as a point and averages outgoing thermal energy) or complex (such as coupled atmosphere-ocean-sea ice global climate models).
In addition to documenting climate trends, PNNL researchers develop strategies for mitigating and adapting to climate change. For instance, researchers study the effects of climate change on river flows to inform decisions about water management. They also help scientists and communities understand the implications of climate change across geographic areas and species.
While many species will migrate or evolve to survive, others will lose their habitats or be wiped out altogether. Climate change also threatens food security, increases the spread of vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever, and accelerates antimicrobial resistance.
Climate science literacy enables all people to assess news stories about climate change and contribute to conversations as informed citizens. It is a critical element in the scientific literacy skills that all Americans need for success in school, careers, and life.
The science of climate is not new—French mathematician and physicist Joseph Fourier speculated about the effect of greenhouse gases on Earth’s temperature in the 1820s, and Irish chemist John Tyndall demonstrated that water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other gases absorb infrared radiation in the 1850s. Since then, many researchers have contributed to our understanding of how the Earth’s climate changes.