Answer
Proxy data are indirect records of past climate conditions that provide information about climate variations over long periods before the availability of direct instrumental measurements. They are necessary in the study of climate change because they offer insights into past climate dynamics, enabling scientists to reconstruct historical climate patterns, understand natural climate variability, and assess the significance of current climate changes. Proxy data are crucial for developing climate models, validating climate predictions, and identifying trends beyond the limited timeframe covered by instrumental records.
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