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Developed as an information
resource covering the fundamentals of climate change over varying
times scales, the Climate Timeline Information Tool uses a "powers
of ten" exponential or logarithmic approach to looking at different
time scales. While the focus is on past climate change, one of the
goals of the site is to provide a context and background for framing
current and future climate change.
Designed in the format
of an informational database, each time scale has an overview,
a section on Climate Science that looks
at scientific processes at that scale, a section on Climate
History focused on the human dimension of climate change, and
Resources where users can learn of additional information and
areas of inquiry.
For those who are unfamiliar
with the basics of climate change, there is an Overview
of Climate Processes which offers background on Earth's climate
system. Another good place to begin is with About
Climate Timeline, and What is Variability?
pages.
The heart of the Climate
Timeline is the Data Access page which provides
links to databases from a variety of NOAA and other U.S. government
agencies with climate-related data and information. This data can
be used in a variety of ways including individual research projects
or group learning activities. See our tutorial on using the Climate
Timeline to research drought for ideas
on how the tool can be used for thematic inquiries.
Specific lesson plans
for each time scale are forthcoming.
The "Search"
function found in the left navigation bar of the Climate Timeline
is invaluable in locating specific information within the site.
Users may want to take the Climate Timeline
Quiz to test their "pre" and "post" knowledge
of climate change, improving their initial test scores by going
on a treasure hunt for the answers to the questions throughout the
website. You will need to contact
us for the password.
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