You are correct, the answer is D.
Climate clearly is understandable, unlike what all the AGW deniers around here will tell you.
All the other answers are correct.
>>A. The climate system is not linear <<
You mean that the climate system is not "stationary," but since you don't know anything about the climate system or the mathematical definition of linear (i.e., y = ax + b) you cannot be expected to know what you are talking about.
Although it is broadly true that the climate system is not stationary, there are periods of stationarity long enough for species to evolve - so this option is meaningless.
>>B. Trends change through time<<
Since trends are functions of (are defined in terms of) time, this choice is a meaningless as the previous one.
>>C. Even the direction of change can depend on the historical period considered<<
This might make sense if you dumped the word "even," but I'm not sure because it makes no sense either way.
>>D. There is no understanding of historical climate patterns<<
This is nonsensical because we have identified historic climate patters and their causes - which automatically means there is some understanding of them.
>>E.Recent anthropogenic influences have substantially changed climatic conditions <<
They have substantially changed the climate system and are changing climatic conditions.
>>I'm tempted to go with D, but I'm not a 100% sure.<,
That one is easy because you are 100% wrong. But, then, that is frequently the case with ignorance.
Wow, you got two rocket scientists right off the bat, but these space cadets don't know jack
E is the only answer as historical data is not necessarily going to help predict future climate temps and trends
They want you to put E IMO but you are right, D is the best answer. Obviously there is some understanding of historical climate patterns so that is easily determined wrong.
Yes as Jim says the expected answer is E but it is incorrect, the question is incorrect because of course we can learn from history if we can find the right information (that is why we study history)
There are several reasons why we should not just use historical trends to forecast
future climate patterns. Identify the wrong answer:
A. The climate system is not linear
B. Trends change through time
C. Even the direction of change can depend on the historical period considered
D. There is no understanding of historical climate patterns
E.Recent anthropogenic influences have substantially changed climatic conditions
..........................................
I'm tempted to go with D, but I'm not a 100% sure.
