Scientist claims that July 2023 is the hottest July in 120,000 years.
My question is: how can scientists accurately and reproducibly state this is [the hottest month of July globally in 120,000 years](https://www.theage.com.au/environment/climate-change/the-hottest-july-in-120-000-years-what-s-in-store-for-australia-this-summer-20230719-p5dpm3.html)?
In: 4028
Scientists can estimate the temperature from 120,000 years ago using different methods. Here’s how they do it:
1. **Proxy Data**: Scientists use “proxy” data, which are indirect clues or evidence, to understand past temperatures. Some examples of proxy data include ice cores, tree rings, and ocean sediments. These materials can provide information about the climate at the time they were formed.
2. **Ice Cores**: Scientists drill deep into ice sheets and glaciers to extract ice cores. These ice cores contain tiny air bubbles trapped from the past. By analyzing the composition of these air bubbles, scientists can determine the atmospheric conditions, including temperature, from thousands of years ago.
3. **Tree Rings**: Trees grow a new ring each year, and the width of these rings can provide information about the climate. In warmer years, trees tend to grow wider rings, while in colder years, the rings are narrower. By studying the patterns of tree rings, scientists can estimate past temperatures.
4. **Ocean Sediments**: Sediments at the bottom of the ocean can also provide clues about past temperatures. Certain organisms, like plankton, leave behind shells or skeletons that can be preserved in these sediments. By analyzing the chemical composition of these remains, scientists can infer past ocean temperatures.
By combining data from various sources and using mathematical models, scientists can estimate what the temperature was like 120,000 years ago. These estimates help us understand how the climate has changed over time and the impact of human activities on the Earth’s temperature[3][4].
Citations:
[1] Earth’s hottest weather in 120,000 years. It’s just getting started. | WFLA https://www.wfla.com/weather/climate-classroom/earths-hottest-weather-in-120000-years-its-just-getting-started/
[2] We’re experiencing Earth’s hottest weather in 120000 years, and it’s just getting started https://fox59.com/news/national-world/were-experiencing-earths-hottest-weather-in-120000-years-and-its-just-getting-started/
[3] Earth is the warmest it’s been in 120000 years – Mashable https://mashable.com/article/earth-warmest-temperatures-climate-change
[4] Scientists calculate Last Glacial Maximum Ice Age temperature of Earth | KidsNews https://www.kidsnews.com.au/weather/how-cold-was-ice-age-cold/news-story/87b06dcde5549b81f89af4d60faae5fe
[5] ELI5 How can scientists accurately know the global temperature 120000 years ago? https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/156rt4d/eli5_how_can_scientists_accurately_know_the/
[6] Study: Earth is hotter than it has been in over 120000 years https://www.earth.com/news/study-earth-hotter-120000-years/
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