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UA researchers contribute to study on changes related to Earth's surface temperature changes

Earth
NASA/GSFC
A view of Earth from space.

Researchers from the University of Arizona and Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History worked together on a study centering on changes in the Earth’s surface temperature over the course of 485 million years.

The study published in the Science journal showed a curve of global mean surface temperature over the Phanerozoic Eon time period.

The findings of the researchers also showed the connection between the Earth’s temperature and carbon dioxide.

Brian Huber is a curator with the Smithsonian.

“We show a correlation with the estimates of CO2, and it's a strong correlation. And what we see at these warming events is there's a very clear event that caused a CO2 outgassing that was the trigger for the warming in each case," he said.

Going back in time gives the researchers an opportunity to better understand climate change in today’s world. The increasing amount of greenhouse gasses means that certain species may not be able to adapt quickly enough.

Ignacio Ventura is a reporter for KJZZ. He graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in creative writing and a minor in news media and society.