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Ancient Forest Collapse Warns of Today's Climate Crisis

7/5/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A groundbreaking study uncovers that the catastrophic collapse of tropical forests 252 million years ago during the Permian-Triassic extinction sparked a devastating global warming trend. Triggered by volcanic eruptions, this event sent CO2 levels soaring and disrupted the carbon cycle. Scientists urgently caution that today's escalating greenhouse gas emissions could lead us down a similar perilous path.

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Story summary

A groundbreaking study uncovers that the catastrophic collapse of tropical forests 252 million years ago during the Permian-Triassic extinction sparked a devastating global warming trend. Triggered by volcanic eruptions, this event sent CO2 levels soaring and disrupted the carbon cycle. Scientists urgently caution that today's escalating greenhouse gas emissions could lead us down a similar perilous path.