What is a major purpose of monitoring climate change?

Monitoring climate change serves the critical purpose of understanding and mitigating the effects of global warming. By tracking various climate indicators, such as temperature, greenhouse gas concentrations, and ice melt rates, scientists can gain insights into how human activities impact the climate system. This understanding is essential for developing effective strategies to address climate-related challenges, such as extreme weather events, sea level rise, and biodiversity loss. Mitigation efforts can include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adopting renewable energy sources, and enhancing carbon sequestration through reforestation and sustainable practices.

The focus of monitoring climate change is fundamentally about safeguarding the environment and ensuring the well-being of future generations by providing data that informs policy decisions and public awareness. The other options do not align with the primary objectives of climate monitoring; they either promote exploitation of natural resources or detrimental practices that can exacerbate climate issues rather than address them.