The history of climate science shows how our understanding has grown through different scientific approaches - from simple experiments to satellites. Each discovery has reinforced what earlier scientists found: human-produced CO₂ drives climate change. This timeline highlights key breakthroughs and the scientists behind them, including previously overlooked researchers like Eunice Foote.

Have a go at some of the reflection questions below appropriate to your level.

Beginner

1. What different tools have scientists used to study climate change? List some from oldest to newest.
2. Why do scientists take measurements of CO₂ levels? What are they trying to find out?
3. How do ice cores help scientists learn about Earth's past climate?

Intermediate

1. Compare Eunice Foote's and John Tyndall's experiments. How were they similar and different?
2. How has technology changed the way we study climate from the 1850s to today?
3. Why was the Keeling Curve such an important discovery? What did it tell us?

Expert

1. Analyse how different types of evidence (laboratory experiments, weather station data, satellite measurements, ice cores) have contributed to our understanding of climate change.
2. Evaluate how early predictions about CO₂ and temperature changes, like those made by Arrhenius, compare to modern observations.
3. Explain how the development of climate science led to international action through the IPCC. What key discoveries influenced this process?