Was Earth already heating up, or did global warming reverse a long-term cooling trend?

Evidence in Earth’s natural archives, from tree rings to seafloor sediments, points to one trend. Some climate models suggest another. Here’s why are important.

Darrell Kaufman, Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Northern Arizona University • conversation
Feb. 15, 2023 • ~7 min

We're decoding ancient hurricanes' traces on the sea floor – and evidence from millennia of Atlantic storms is not good news for the coast

As an unusual 2022 hurricane season ends on Nov. 30, a look back at hurricane history suggests we may be significantly underestimating future risks.

Tyler Winkler, Postdoctoral Researcher in Oceanography, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution • conversation
Nov. 28, 2022 • ~12 min

Wheel of Time is set thousands of years from now, yet it's still burdened with today's climate change

We modelled the climate of the far future planet Earth in which the fantasy series is set.

Sebastian Steinig, Research Associate in Paleoclimate Modelling, University of Bristol • conversation
Dec. 21, 2021 • ~8 min

Humanity is compressing millions of years of natural change into just a few centuries

What climate changes in the distant past can tell us about the near future.

Darrell Kaufman, Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Northern Arizona University • conversation
Nov. 1, 2021 • ~7 min

Earth's magnetic field broke down 42,000 years ago and caused massive sudden climate change

Scientists have uncovered evidence of a global paleopocalyspe.

Zoë Thomas, ARC DECRA Fellow, UNSW • conversation
Feb. 18, 2021 • ~7 min

Central Asia risks becoming a hyperarid desert in the near future

We found evidence of irreversible ecological breakdown millions of years ago – this time round, we should heed the warning signs.

Natasha Barbolini, Senior postdoctoral fellow in palaeoecology, Stockholm University • conversation
Oct. 29, 2020 • ~7 min

Video: How ancient ice cores show ‘black swan’ events in history – even pandemics

Ice cores can preserve evidence of 'black swan' events like pandemics and droughts, but the glaciers from which they are collected are disappearing.

Ellen Mosley-Thompson, Distinguished University Professor, Geography (Atmospheric Sciences), Senior Research Scientist, The Ohio State University • conversation
Sept. 3, 2020 • ~8 min

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