Climate Change

The climate is always changing. Short-term variations in climate are easily noticed by people. However, subtle changes over long time-scales such as decades or centuries are more easily identified in instrumental data records or from natural climate indicators such as tree-rings. As well as natural cycles in climate there is increasing evidence that humans are also having an influence on the climate through land-use changes and the enhanced greenhouse effect. The detection of long-term climate change requires long, good quality climate records. Australia has established Reference Climate Stations specifically intended for monitoring long-term changes in climate.

Long-Term Climate Variability in Australia
Paleoclimate data gathered from ice-cores, pollen records, tree-rings and corals indicate that the globe has had numerous ice-ages and warm periods in the past. The identification of current climate trends and patterns of influence also requires careful meteorological observation across time and localities.

The Greenhouse Effect
The greenhouse effect is a natural warming process of the earth.
Without greenhouse gases the earth's average surface temperature would be about 35 ° Celsius cooler. Scientists are concerned that higher greenhouse gas concentrations, resulting from human activity, will lead to an "enhanced" greenhouse effect which may lead to global climate change.

Observed Long-Term Climate Trends in Australia

Reference Climate Stations (RCS)
About 100 of Australia's observation stations were selected to be Reference Climate Stations. This RCS network has been established for high quality, long-term climate monitoring, particularly climate change analysis. Select a station from the RCS map to find details about the site and view a photograph of the surrounding environment.

Data Quality
Climate knowledge is dependent on accurate long-term data records. Consistent measurement of climate data and long comprehensive records are needed to identify climate change.