Climate Change and the Individual, 2025-26
Document Type
Lesson Plan
Publication Date
Spring 5-2025
Abstract
The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) is not just an event that occurred in Earth’s distant past (~55 million years ago) but is a crucial lesson for today’s meteoric climate change. The PETM offers a historical parallel of rapid flux of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere that caused global warming, ocean acidification, dramatic changes in weather, and extinctions. This global warming event was the result of 20,000 years of “rapid” warming (in geological terms) however, we are experiencing rates of warming that are 5-10x higher than PETM levels. We are not experiencing rapid warming today, in comparison to the past, we are experiencing unmatched supersonic rates of warming.
Recommended Citation
Wittmer Malinowski, Jacalyn M., "The PETM: A window into Earth's future climate" (2025). Climate Change and the Individual, 2025-26. 2.
https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/ideas-that-matter-25-26/2
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Atmospheric Sciences Commons, Climate Commons, Geochemistry Commons, Geology Commons, Oceanography Commons, Oil, Gas, and Energy Commons, Other Environmental Sciences Commons, Other Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology Commons, Other Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons, Paleobiology Commons, Paleontology Commons, Sedimentology Commons, Stratigraphy Commons, Sustainability Commons, Tectonics and Structure Commons