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Out of the Cold: The Slow Beginnings of Climate Change Science

By: Dr. Alice Bell
Originally Published in  HistoryExtra

The roots of modern climate science go back to the 19th Century, with early breakthroughs by scientists like Eunice Newton Foote, John Tyndall, and Svante Arrhenius, who laid the groundwork for understanding the role of carbon dioxide in global warming.

The article "Out of the Cold: The Slow Beginnings of Climate Change Science" from BBC's HistoryExtra delves into the early scientific explorations of climate change, tracing its beginnings to the 19th Century. Early pioneers, including Eunice Newton Foote, John Tyndall, and Svante Arrhenius, each contributed to the understanding of how human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, could alter Earth's temperature. However, these early insights were often overlooked or misunderstood, and it wasn’t until the mid-20th Century that the idea of human-induced climate change began to gain traction.

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BBC's HistoryExtra is devoted to both British and world history and aimed at readers of all levels of knowledge and interest. Learn more about subscriptions here.

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Illustration showing a polar bear and penguins sit on melting ice while dark smoke fills the sky from factories in the background
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Most passages are available in three different versions: Level 1 (Grade 3-5), Level 2 (Grade 6-8), and Level 3 (Grade 9-12). Some more complex texts are available only in Level 2 and Level 3. Use the versions that are most appropriate for the students in your class.

Note: The BBC Learning Hub Editorial Team made use of AI tools to create multiple versions of this article, each tailored to different student reading levels. Every version undergoes a thorough review by our BBC Learning editors to ensure accuracy, quality, and appropriateness.

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Grades: 6-8Lexile Level: 900-1100L
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Level 3 Reading Passage
Grades: 9-12Lexile Level: 1000–1300L
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