How do climate scientists make predictions?
Summary
This episode explores how scientists use climate models to project future global temperatures amidst record-breaking heatwaves. Hosts Phil and Pippa discuss insights from NASA scientist Kate Marvel, distinguishing between predictions and conditional projections. They examine the dual role of clouds in regulating Earth's energy imbalance and introduce key vocabulary related to climate science.
Topics discussed
Sponsors and BBC Learning English resources
Introduction: Record heatwaves in Europe and the UK
Quiz question and the difference between predictions and projections
The dual effect of clouds on global temperature
Vocabulary: 'The thing about', 'out of whack', and 'pro-science'
Idiom: 'Not on the table' and human responsibility for climate change
Quiz answer reveal and vocabulary recap
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