Introduction

Across the world, climate change is already beginning to change the way we live our lives. But how big will that change be and what kinds of change will occur? These are the kinds of questions that scientists have been asking for decades. So, how exactly do they try to find answers to such complex questions about the future? Understanding where we are heading might help humanity prepare for the consequences of climate change. Phil and Pippa discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.

This week's question

Which unit do scientists use to measure the Earth's energy imbalance - the difference between the solar energy entering the Earth's atmosphere and the radiation going back out into space?

a) Fahrenheit

b) Watts per square metre

c) Joules

Listen to the programme to hear the answer.

Vocabulary

prediction

statement about what you think will happen in the future

conditional

depending on other factors; not certain

the thing about...

(informal) used to introduce the most important feature or detail to understand about something

out of whack

(idiom) out of balance; not working properly or broken

pro- (something)

in favour of (something)

(not) on the table

(idiom) (not) considered an option or a possibility