What Is a Climatologist? — Reading Comprehension

Grades

About This Reader

This reading passage introduces students to the role of a climatologist, a scientist who studies long-term climate patterns. The text explains how climatologists collect data from natural sources like ice cores and tree rings, and use computer models to understand and predict climate change. It compares their work to meteorologists and shows how their research supports decision-making in farming, city planning, and climate policy. The passage aligns with Earth and Human Activity standards and helps students understand the importance of climate science and how it connects to global change.

CONTENT PREVIEW

A climatologist is a scientist who studies climate, which is the long-term pattern of weather in a region. Unlike meteorologists, who focus on short-term weather forecasts like rain or snow, climatologists look at long-term trends in temperature, rainfall, wind, and other weather elements over many years—even centuries.

Climatologists collect data from many sources, including weather stations, satellites, ice cores, tree rings, and ocean records. They use this data to understand how Earth’s climate has changed in the past and how it might change in the future. Their work is important for studying climate change, global warming, and extreme weather events.

Some climatologists use computer models to simulate Earth’s future climate under different conditions. For example, they might predict how much the Earth could warm if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise. Others study how climate affects people, plants, and animals in different parts of the world.

Climatologists help governments, farmers, builders, and emergency planners make smart choices. Their research can help protect cities from floods, manage water supplies, or plan where to grow crops. They also play a big role in writing scientific reports, such as those by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change).

Climatologists work in universities, research centers, government agencies, and environmental organizations. Some even travel to remote places like Antarctica to gather climate data firsthand.

Fun Fact: Climatologists can study past climates from thousands of years ago by examining ice layers in glaciers—each layer holds clues about ancient air and temperature!

What does a climatologist study?

The ocean floorDay-to-day weatherLong-term climate patternsEarthquakes and volcanoes

What tool might a climatologist use to study future climate?

TelescopeWeather balloonComputer modelMicroscope

What is the difference between a climatologist and a meteorologist?

Meteorologists study the oceansClimatologists work with animalsMeteorologists focus on short-term weather, climatologists on long-term trendsClimatologists make weather forecasts for TV

Where might climatologists find data from the past?

Comic booksIce cores and tree ringsSolar panelsNews articles

Which organization uses climatologists’ work in its reports?

World Health OrganizationNASAUnited NationsIPCC

Why is the work of climatologists important?

They can stop stormsThey help predict fashion trendsThey help people prepare for climate changes and risksThey grow food

What is the main idea of this passage?

Climatologists study ancient citiesClimatologists fix computersClimatologists study climate patterns to understand changeClimatologists report the daily weather

If a farmer wants to know how changing rainfall might affect crops, who can help?

A geologistA meteorologistA climatologistA paleontologist