For long periods animals in ancient oceans could live only in shallow surface waters, above vast 'dead zones' inhabited only by anoxic bacteria, writes Richard Pancost. Human activity is now creating immense new dead zones, and global warming could be helping as it reduces vertical mixing of waters. Could this be the beginning of something big?
Scientific uncertainties over future climate are widely used by 'sceptics' to justify a policy of no response, write Richard Pancost & Stephan Lewandowsky. But this reflects a deep misunderstanding: outcomes may end up much more severe than expected - and we should prepare for worst case scenarios.
Our emissions of greenhouse gases may end up recreating the conditions of the Pliocene era of 2.6 to 5.3 million years ago. Warm and wet, life could still thrive, writes Richard Pancost. As for a 40 metre rise in sea level ...
