Global Climate Change (Essay Sample)

Some 50 million years ago, the earth suffered from consecutive phases of rapid global warming. Each phase was called a hyperthermal, and it would last a couple of thousand years. As Dunne (2019) explains, each hyperthermal would see the global temperatures rise by up to 5C. This gradual change in temperatures was the cause of wide-ranging changes to world habitats, and it also caused a series of extinction of various species. For example, the end of the ice age is one such era that marked the extinction of numerous species. At the end of this period, animals such as the Mammoth ceased to walk the earth, with only fossils remaining to prove they ever existed. Work by Dunne (2019) also reveals another example of a hyperthermal titled the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), which took place some 56 million years ago. The PETM saw global temperatures rise more than 5C within 15-20 thousand years. As Bralower & Bice (n.d) explain, the rates above remain just slightly lower than the rates of global warming being experienced today. Similarly, the rise in temperatures then was also facilitated by the release of over 2000 gigatons (2,000,000,000,000 tons) of carbon gasses into the atmosphere. Yet, unlike global warming today, the PETM was entirely due to natural causes, unlike today whereby the actions of human civilizations are mostly to blame for higher temperatures. From the data currently collected, it is possible to paint a clear picture of each hyperthermal and modern global warming. Some of the benefits that can be traced back to reliance on hyperthermal when studying global warming include:
* Discovery of New Knowledge
Data associated with PETM hyperthermal warming remains a key source of knowledge on global warming patterns. Thanks to the events recorded, it is possible to determine the patterns of warming that different ecological zones experienced over thousands of years. For instance, Dunne (2019) shares evidence that warming during the PETM hyperthermal was from various sources, including oxygen isotopes found in deep-sea cores. Work from various scientists shows that ocean surfaces temperatures rose by between 6 – 8 degrees Celsius across different latitudes (Bralower & Bice, n.d.). This range of temperature rises was also experienced in the deep sea, and they translated to about 4 – 5 degrees Celsius increases of the average earth temperature. In comparison, global temperatures since the industrial revolution have risen by an average of 1.2 degrees Celsius (Dunne, 2019).
Comparing the warming rates between the two eras remains helpful to scientists to determine global warming patterns. Additionally, evidence from the PETM hypothermal remains helpful in offering more evidence of the consequences of global warming. Fossil remains from the era, and global-wide extinction of species remains a key reminder of the devastating effects of global warming going unchecked. Equally, the PETM hyperthermal also offers specific knowledge about the cause of global warming at the time. According to Dunne (2019), hyperthermal were all caused by natural climatic events that prompted the release of large quantities of gases such as methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The PETM era did not feature individuals driving cars and industries burning endless amounts of fossil fuels. Rather, the period was characterized by basic primates and other species that were not as advanced (Dunne, 2019). While scientists remain at loggerheads over the source of billions of tons of carbon gasses, there is consensus that the sources arose from natural events. All this information combines to give scientists a clearer picture of global warming patterns. This information can then help determine the courses of action taken to stem further atmosphere warming.
* Predict the Consequences of Inaction
As Dunne (2019) explains, the PETM hyperthermal saw the level of CO2 gasses in the atmosphere increase some 3-4 times. While the source of this increase is still debatable, its effects on the earth's warming are not. CO2 remains a greenhouse gas, and its availability in the earth's atmosphere undoubtedly increases temperatures. For instance, Bralower & Bice (n.d) explain that the temperatures off the coast of Antarctica hit their peak of about 20oC (68 oF) during the PETM hyperthermal. Equally, temperatures off the coast of West Africa are said to have clocked 36oC (97oF), equivalent to water temperatures in most bathtubs. Equally, sea levels were much higher during the PETM hyperthermal since there were no ice caps on the north and south poles. Warmer ocean temperatures also meant that deep-sea ecological systems were significantly different from ecological systems today.
The PETM hyperthermal can accurately predict the consequences of further global warming on the environment. The increase in the earth's temperatures slowly melts both ice caps in the north and south poles. Consequently, many experts are today predicting many coastal cities to become completely submerged with the continual rise of sea levels. Additionally, a warmer sea bed would also alter the physical characteristics of deep-sea species to ensure that they survive the warmer temperatures. It follows from the theory of natural selection that many of the weakest species that fail to adapt would become extinct.
* Help Establish a Course of Action
What’s more, the PETM hyperthermal helps form the perfect analogy for guiding studies about the current warming patterns. As Kump (2018) shares, the PETM hyperthermal resulted from increases in carbon dioxide levels. Accordingly, cutting down carbon emissions is one of the solutions suggested to help rectify the situation. Having evidence from the PETM era can, thus, help with defending such recommendations from climate change deniers. Using statistics from hyperthermals such as the above makes it possible to defend global actions such as the ones advanced by the Paris Accord of 2015. The agreement encouraged all nations to set targets by which they will cut down carbon emissions (Jackson et al., 2018). Equally, afforestation efforts can also gain greater support by showing their effect to reduce carbon gasses in the atmosphere and give out oxygen at the same time.