Explain why scientists find it difficult to reach a definitive conclusion about the extent of global climate change, despite large amounts of data being available.

AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462) — 4.9.1 The composition and evolution of the Earth's atmosphere · Explain · 4 marks · View as Markdown

Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).

Model answer (4 marks)

Scientists find it difficult to reach a definitive conclusion about the extent of global climate change because the system is extremely complex and hard to model accurately. Climate models are simplified and may not fully represent reality, often using only part of the available evidence. Media reports can be biased or based on opinion rather than peer‑reviewed science, which adds to the confusion. Consequently, speculation arises and it becomes hard to separate reliable scientific conclusions from unreliable claims.

Examiner tips

  • Show understanding of complexity and model limitations; mention media bias; link to difficulty in separating speculation from evidence; keep answer concise and use exam terminology

Common mistakes

  • Assuming all data is fully reliable; over‑emphasising data quantity over quality; ignoring the role of media bias

Mark scheme (4 marks)

  1. Global climate change involves very complex systems that are difficult to model accurately
  2. Models are therefore simplified, meaning they may not fully represent reality / may only use part of the evidence
  3. Media reports may be biased or based on opinions rather than peer-reviewed evidence
  4. This leads to speculation, meaning it is hard to separate reliable scientific conclusions from unreliable claims

Key terms in this question

global climate change

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