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The Climate of the early earth was probably very warm and has, in general, reduced since the Archean. However, it seems that the world is about 0.6 C warmer than it was 100 years ago and estimates of the rate of global warming over the next century range from 0.16 C to 0.35 C per decade. Concurrently, global sea-level is predicted to rise from 2.4 to 10cm per decade. These rates of change are much faster than those normally associated with the geological record, causing geologists and palaeontologists to reassess their data and their forecasts on rates of future change. With the current interest in global climatic change and, more specifically, with global warming, it is clear that palaeontologists have valuable information to provide on the impacts of past climatic change. This volume contains papers from an international array of such geologists and palaeontologists, showing how studies of micro- and macrofossils, plant and vertebrate fossils from a range of geological ages have contributed to our understanding of how climate affects both local and more widespread areas. The contributions are arranged in geological order, ranging from the Permo-Carboniferous to the post-glacial recovery of the last 18,000 years, with an emphasis on climate change during the last two million years, particularly in NW Europe. Readership: Palaeontologists, geologists and palaeoclimatologists with an interest in climate reconstructions. Any professional engaged in research into the geological aspects of climate change. Also available: Landscape Evolution: Denudation, Climate and Tectonics over Different Time and Space Scales - Special Publication no 296 - ISBN 1862392501 Climate Change and Groundwater - Special Publication no 288 - ISBN 1862392358 The Geological Society of LondonFounded in 1807, the Geological Society of London is the oldest geological society in the world, and one of the largest publishers in the Earth sciences.The Society publishes a wide range of high-quality peer-reviewed titles for academics and professionals working in the geosciences, and enjoys an enviable international reputation for the quality of its work.The many areas in which we publish in include:-Petroleum geology-Tectonics, structural geology and geodynamics-Stratigraphy, sedimentology and paleontology-Volcanology, magmatic studies and geochemistry-Remote sensing-History of geology-Regional geology guides
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Climates: Past and Present
Geological Society Special Publications Series Editors A. J. HARTLEY R. E. HOLDSWORTH
A. C. MORTON M. S. STOKER
Special Publication reviewing procedures The Society makes every effort to ensure that the scientific and production quality of its books matches that of its journals. Since 1997, all book proposals have been refereed by specialist reviewers as well as by the Society's Publications Committee. If the referees identify weaknesses in the proposal, these must be addressed before the proposal is accepted. Once the book is accepted, the Society has a team of series editors (listed above) who ensure that the volume editors follow strict guidelines on refereeing and quality control. We insist that individual papers can only be accepted after satisfactory review by two independent referees. The questions on the review forms are similar to those for Journal of the Geological Society. The referees' forms and comments must be available to the Society's series editors on request. Although many of the books result from meetings, the editors are expected to commission papers that were not presented at the meeting to ensure that the book provides a balanced coverage of the subject. Being accepted for presentation at the meeting does not guarantee inclusion in the book. Geological Society Special Publications are included in the ISI Science Citation Index, but they do not have an impact factor, the latte