The Pliocene: The Last Time Earth had >400 ppm of Atmospheric CO2
LOCATION
Imperial College London
Skempton Building
Skempton LT 201
Imperial College Road
Kensington, London SW7 2BB
The last time carbon dioxide was so plentiful in our planet's atmosphere was in the Pliocene era, around 3 million years ago. Life on Earth was dominated by giant mammals; humans and chimps had shared their last common ancestor. Although the sun's force was about the same, the sea levels were 15 metres higher and Arctic summer temperatures were 14 degrees higher than the present day.
Come to this meeting to hear about the climatic conditions in the Pliocene, how we know this, and what it tells us about our modern climate. If the effects of human-induced climate change are slow to act, or a tipping point is yet to be reached, what does the science tell us to expect?
AGENDA
3rd Apr 2019 14:00 - 18:00
Session schedule
Hide| Time | Title | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 14:00 | Welcome | |
| 14:05 | The Pliocene: an accessible example of a world in equilibrium with 400 ppmv CO2? | Prof A Haywood |
| 14:40 | The Pliocene and IPCC - how does the Pliocene inform the future? | Professor D Lunt |
| 15:15 | Evidence of Antarctic mass loss from offshore sediments | Professor T van der Flierdt |
| 15:50 | Refreshment Break | - |
| 16:20 | Environment on Antarctica from the fossil record | Prof Dame J Francis |
| 16:55 | What the Pliocene can tell us about the world we are heading toward | Professor R DeConto |
| 17:30 | Informal panel discussion, chaired by Prof Siegert | - |
| 17:55 | Meeting Close | - |
Media
MEDIA COVERAGE
Metro - https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/04/climate-change-turn-antarctica-green-warn-scientists-9110749/
Mail - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6885449/Antarctica-turn-GREEN-global-warming.html
Yahoo News - https://news.yahoo.com/antarctica-turn-green-global-warming-takes-hold-experts-warn-094956746.html
Metro - https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/04/climate-change-turn-antarctica-green-warn-scientists-9110749/
PA /Independent - https://www.indy100.com/article/climate-change-antarctica-high-atmosphere-south-pole-8854186
BBC - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-47806440 and https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-47809190/the-last-forests-of-antarctica
This meeting is part of the Royal Meteorological Society Meetings programme, open to all, from expert to enthusiast, for topical discussions on the latest advances in weather and climate. Free to attend. Non members are welcome.
Meeting Partners
The last time carbon dioxide was so plentiful in our planet's atmosphere was in the Pliocene era, around 3 million years ago. Life on Earth was dominated by giant mammals; humans and chimps had shared their last common ancestor. Although the sun's force was about the same, the sea levels were 15 metres higher and Arctic summer temperatures were 14 degrees higher than the present day.
Come to this meeting to hear about the climatic conditions in the Pliocene, how we know this, and what it tells us about our modern climate. If the effects of human-induced climate change are slow to act, or a tipping point is yet to be reached, what does the science tell us to expect?
AGENDA
3rd Apr 2019 14:00 - 18:00
Session schedule
Hide| Time | Title | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 14:00 | Welcome | |
| 14:05 | The Pliocene: an accessible example of a world in equilibrium with 400 ppmv CO2? | Prof A Haywood |
| 14:40 | The Pliocene and IPCC - how does the Pliocene inform the future? | Professor D Lunt |
| 15:15 | Evidence of Antarctic mass loss from offshore sediments | Professor T van der Flierdt |
| 15:50 | Refreshment Break | - |
| 16:20 | Environment on Antarctica from the fossil record | Prof Dame J Francis |
| 16:55 | What the Pliocene can tell us about the world we are heading toward | Professor R DeConto |
| 17:30 | Informal panel discussion, chaired by Prof Siegert | - |
| 17:55 | Meeting Close | - |
Media
MEDIA COVERAGE
Metro - https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/04/climate-change-turn-antarctica-green-warn-scientists-9110749/
Mail - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6885449/Antarctica-turn-GREEN-global-warming.html
Yahoo News - https://news.yahoo.com/antarctica-turn-green-global-warming-takes-hold-experts-warn-094956746.html
Metro - https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/04/climate-change-turn-antarctica-green-warn-scientists-9110749/
PA /Independent - https://www.indy100.com/article/climate-change-antarctica-high-atmosphere-south-pole-8854186
BBC - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-47806440 and https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-47809190/the-last-forests-of-antarctica
This meeting is part of the Royal Meteorological Society Meetings programme, open to all, from expert to enthusiast, for topical discussions on the latest advances in weather and climate. Free to attend. Non members are welcome.
Meeting Partners