Paleoclimatology is the study of past climates using evidence from natural records. Scientists analyze data from sources like ice cores, tree rings, and sediment layers to understand how Earth's climate has changed over thousands to millions of years. This research helps us learn about historical climate patterns and their impacts on ecosystems and human societies. By examining these records, paleoclimatologists can identify trends and cycles in climate change, such as periods of warming and cooling. This information is crucial for predicting future climate scenarios and understanding the long-term effects of current climate change, which is influenced by factors like greenhouse gases and solar radiation.