Ancient rise in CO2 was catastrophic for forests: what that means for today’s plants A widespread dieback of forests due to climate change 56 million years ago has parallels with today. By James Dinneen

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-02544-y?utm_source=Live+Audience&utm_campaign=1c8e108e31-nature-briefing-daily-20260814&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-33f35e09ea-50432164 Around 56 million years ago, a sharp rise in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere led to severe global warming that transformed the planet’s surface, which led to a widespread decline in forest cover. This decline during the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) could have parallels for what could happen as a result of human-driven climate change, say researchers. The PETM isn’t a perfect analogue for modern day, but “what we’re looking for is guides from the past about what can happen”, says palaeoclimatologist Gabriel Bowen.