Climate Change: Current Observations and Future Projections

This lecture discusses the current state of climate change, focusing on essential climate variables defined by the Global Climate Observing System. It highlights the importance of surface and atmospheric observations, including data collected from weather stations and radiosondes. The instructor explains the observed increase in global temperatures and the role of human activities in this trend. The lecture also covers the complexities of measuring precipitation changes and the uncertainties involved. Projections for future climate scenarios are presented, emphasizing the potential impacts of greenhouse gas emissions on global temperatures and precipitation patterns. The instructor stresses the importance of understanding these variables to predict future climate conditions and their implications for ecosystems and human systems. The lecture concludes with a summary of the key findings and the significance of continued monitoring and research in climate science.