What happens when the world warms by 9 degrees Fahrenheit?
In short: The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) serves as a prehistoric blueprint for modern climate change. This video follows researchers into Wyoming's Bighorn Basin to examine how life adapted when carbon flooded the planet 55 million years ago.
During the PETM, an enormous influx of carbon caused global surface temperatures to spike by 5°C to 9°C. This warming event persisted for over 170,000 years, creating a dramatic shift in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
By studying the fossil record and soil samples in Wyoming, scientists aim to understand the specific mechanisms of this ancient transition. Their goal is to use these prehistoric patterns to better predict how current global warming will reshape contemporary life.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Science Bulletins: PETM - Unearthing Ancient Climate Change
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