Assignment task:
Expand on a colleague's post by sharing what you might like to learn from the data set and what insights you would hope to find in the data set he or she shared.
For this discussion, I found a public data set related to global temperatures from NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS). This data set includes annual global land-ocean temperatures, beginning from 1880 to the present, providing a comprehensive overview of climatic changes over time.
Description of the Data Set
The dataset consists of recorded global temperature anomalies, which compare each year's average temperature to a baseline period (typically 1951-1980 averages). It was collected using a combination of weather stations, satellite data, and ocean measurements. The GISS team takes into account biases due to location, elevational differences, and other localized factors to ensure the accuracy of this data. The dataset is constructed by aggregating global temperature readings, adjusting for factors that might affect the measurements, and then compiling them into yearly anomalies. Need Assignment Help?
Identified Patterns
Upon reviewing the data, several notable patterns emerge:
1. Rising Trend in Temperature: There is a distinct upward trend in the average global temperature over the past century, with significant increases noted from the late 20th century onwards.
2. Seasonal Variations: The data shows seasonal changes where summer temperatures are consistently higher than winter temperatures, which is expected.
3. Impact of Major Climate Events: Specific periods, such as during El Niño events, show spikes in temperature anomalies.
These patterns are of interest because they highlight the progressive changes in the Earth's climate, correlate with human activity (such as industrialization), and can lead to discussions about the implications for ecosystems and weather patterns.
Insights Sought
From this dataset, I hope to learn more about:
The correlation between temperature rise and potential causes, such as CO2 emissions and deforestation.
Regional variations in temperature changes over time, examining how some areas may be more affected than others.
Forecasting future temperature trends based on past data, allowing for informed discussion about climate change mitigation strategies Overall, I aim to gain insights that can contribute to a better understanding of climate change dynamics and support advocacy for environmental policies.