What factors are key to measuring climate change?
Temperature is the primary measure of climate and can be measured or reconstructed for the Earth’s surface, and sea surface temperature (SST). Precipitation offers another indicator of relative climate variation and may include humidity or water balance. Biomass and vegetation patterns may be discerned in a variety of ways and provide evidence of how ecosystems change to adapt to climate change. Sea Level measurements reflect changes in shoreline and usually relate to the degree of ice coverage in high latitudes and elevations. Solar Activity can influence climate, primarily through changes in the intensity of solar radiation. Volcanic Eruptions, like solar radiation, can alter climate due to the aerosols that are emitted into the atmosphere and alter climate patterns. Chemical composition of air or water can be measured by tracking levels of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, and measuring ratios of oxygen isotopes. Research indicates a strong correlation between the
