Climate Data Sources: The Foundation of Understanding
Exploring the diverse array of instruments and systems that collect the data powering climate science
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Section 1 of 5Why Climate Data Matters
Climate science relies on vast amounts of data collected from around the world. From satellites orbiting Earth to buoys floating in oceans, from weather stations on land to radar systems tracking storms - each data source provides critical pieces of the climate puzzle. Understanding these data sources is essential for interpreting climate trends and making informed decisions.
The quality, coverage, and continuity of climate data determine how well we can understand climate change. Different types of data sources complement each other, providing comprehensive coverage of Earth's climate system. However, gaps in data coverage and quality issues can lead to uncertainties in climate projections.
Data-Driven Climate Science
Every major climate assessment, from IPCC reports to national climate strategies, depends on robust data collection systems. Without reliable data sources, our understanding of climate change would be limited to educated guesses rather than scientific evidence.