What factors influence the accuracy of computer models of climate?

Provide at least one example of each type of feedback mechanism.

What are sunspots? How does solar output change as sunspot numbers change? Is there a solid connection between sunspot numbers and climate change on Earth?

List the main sources of human-generated aerosols and describe their net effect on atmospheric temperatures.

Aside from $CO _2$, what trace gases are contributing to global temperature change?

Distinguish between positive and negative climate feedback mechanisms.

How does air pressure change as altitude increases?

How does the theory of plate tectonics help us understand the causes of ice ages ?

Why has the $CO _2$ level of the atmosphere been increasing over the past 200 years?

How has the atmosphere responded to the growing $CO _2$ levels? How are temperatures in the lower atmosphere likely to change as levels continue to increase?

Describe and briefly explain the effect on global temperatures of the eruptions of El Chichón and Mount Pinatubo.

What are the main sources of human-generated aerosols?

Explain how past temperatures are determined using oxygen-isotope analysis.

Why are seafloor sediments useful in the study of past climates?