paleoclimate proxies

Paleoclimate proxies are natural records that help scientists understand past climates. These can include tree rings, ice cores, sediment layers, and fossilized pollen. Each proxy provides clues about temperature, precipitation, and atmospheric conditions from different time periods. For example, tree rings can show how wet or dry a year was by their width, while ice cores can trap air bubbles that reflect ancient atmospheric composition. By studying these proxies, researchers can reconstruct climate changes over thousands or even millions of years, giving insight into how the Earth's climate has evolved and helping us predict future changes.