The Need for a Global Paleoclimate Observing System (original) (raw)

A significant challenge in generating reliable climate change predictions stems from insufficient data that covers time periods beyond the brief instrumental record. Existing climate observation initiatives require decades of sustained operation to yield pertinent information. In contrast, natural archives documenting past climate variability offer immediate insights. However, noteworthy paleoclimate archives face threats due to rapid destruction driven by human activities, prompting a call for the establishment of a coordinated Global Paleoclimate Observing System (GPOS) to supplement current observational systems focusing on modern data.