“Uncovering the Hidden Legacy: How Ancient Roman Air Pollution Shaped Europe’s Climate and History”
“It might rather be that air pollution was a problem for people living in cities,” said Gilgen.
Flickr/Garry KnightMan-made climate change is now at its highest known point in history even though the ancients were affecting Earth’s temperatures millennia ago.
“The novelty here is in their thinking about what the [Roman’s] aerosol contribution would be, which seems to be quite considerable,” said Joy Singarayer, a climate change expert at the University of Reading, who was not involved in Gilgen’s study.
The biggest takeaway from all this is two-fold: while human activities have been affecting Earth’s climate for millennia, the temperature shifts caused by Ancient Rome were null when compared with modern man-made climate change.
Christopher Michel/FlickrHuman impact on the planet’s climate will continue to worsen if drastic measures aren’t taken as soon as possible.
Ultimately, Gilgen’s study illustrates how capable we were as a species of altering the Earth’s climate even thousands of years ago. In a world following the Industrial Revolution where corporate interests seem to override scientific concerns, we’re barreling past our ancient ancestors in this regard — full-steam ahead.
Next, take a look at these pictures of global warming that prove you have no more excuse not to “get” climate change. Then, take a look at climate change denier Sarah Palin continuing her crusade by taking an unsuccesful dig at Bill Nye.
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