56 million years ago our planet experienced rapid, intense warming known as the Paleocene Eocene Thermal Maximum, resulting in a global temperature increase of about 7°C. Runaway Climate explores the causes of this catastrophic event, its dramatic impact on life on Earth, and its stark lessons for our climate future.
Authors
Related Organizations
- Published in
- Gabriola Island, CA
- Rights
- Steven Earle
Table of Contents
- Front Cover 1
- Praise 2
- Title Page 6
- Copyright Page 7
- Synopsis 8
- Contents 10
- Dedication 12
- Acknowledgments 14
- Preface 16
- Part I: What Happened in the Past? 18
- 1. The Bighorn Basin 20
- 2. The Late Paleocene World 34
- 3. Understanding Past Climates 48
- 4. Changes in the Oceans During the PETM 64
- 5. Changes on Land During the PETM 76
- 6. What Caused the PETM Runaway Climate? 96
- 7. What Is Similar Now and What Is Different? 112
- Part II: Where We Are Heading If We Don’t Change Course 124
- 8. How the Oceans Might Change Under PETM Conditions 126
- 9. How the Land Might Change Under PETM Conditions 136
- 10. Where Will Everyone Go? 152
- 11. What Do We Need to Do? 164
- List of Abbreviations 182
- Appendix 184
- Endnotes 194
- Index 216
- About the Author 224
- About New Society Publishers 225
- A Guide to Responsible Digital Reading 226
