What was young Earth like when it formed 4.5 billion years ago? When and how did life first appear on Earth, and how did the emergence of life alter Earth’s atmosphere and climate? How have past variations of Earth’s paleoclimate spurred evolutionary changes in life? What will Earth’s climate be like in the future? Is it possible that Mars, one of Earth’s nearest neighbors, will ever be habitable? Exploring these questions from a scientific perspective provides one framework for contextualizing our relationship, as humans, with planet Earth. Toward this aim, this seminar will examine the scientific evidence and theories related to these and many more questions concerning Earth.
- Teacher: Ryan Hinrichs