Geologist Jim Snook presents a clear and compelling discussion of one key factor that is usually missing—or plainly misrepresented—in today’s debates about climate change and carbon dioxide. Explaining the complex interactions between temperature shifts, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, and their profound impacts on both ancient and modern environments, he offers an in-depth look at the powerful effects Earth's cyclical temperature changes have had on our planet’s climate, ecosystems, and human societies.
In the course of his work, at high altitudes, along the tree lines in Alaska, and in the drilling and production of deep natural gas wells with high carbon dioxide content, Snook studied the effects of carbon dioxide and other atmospheric conditions on plant growth, and observed the workings of glaciers. Snook has studied science for over 50 years. In these pages, he takes readers on a journey through the chain reaction that cold temperatures set off across the atmosphere, oceans, and landscapes. He shows how these shifts in temperature caused a drop in atmospheric carbon dioxide, which he argues was a key driver behind the mass extinction of numerous species.
During the Ice Age, the decrease in carbon dioxide levels had devastating effects on plant life, leading to the decline of large herbivorous animals, including the woolly mammoth, mastodon, and saber-toothed cat.
The relationship between carbon dioxide levels and ecological balance is critical. The parallels between the ice ages of the past and our present-day situation are striking.
As the Ice Age ended, carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere began to climb again, leading to a resurgence in plant life and a subsequent boom in animal and human populations.
Snook explains how the increase in carbon dioxide sparked a period of population growth and migration into areas that were previously uninhabitable. This revival of vegetation and wildlife marked a crucial turning point in Earth's ecological history, offering valuable insights into current climate trends.
In the modern era, Snook highlights the 28% increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide over the last 150 years and its correlation with a six-fold increase in the human population. He delves into the implications of this rapid rise in carbon dioxide, discussing its effects on global warming, population dynamics, and ecological change. By understanding these historical patterns, Snook argues, we can gain crucial insights into future climate scenarios and better prepare for the environmental challenges that lie ahead.
Ice Age Extinction extends its relevance beyond prehistoric studies, making it essential reading for anyone interested in the broader consequences of climate change. Snook’s detailed analysis covers the effects on glaciers, the glacial cycle, and the atmosphere, providing a thorough understanding of how past climate events have shaped life on Earth. This historical perspective is key to grasping the full implications of current climate changes and planning for future challenges.
Ice Age Extinction offers readers invaluable information on the relationship between atmospheric carbon dioxide, global warming, and cooling. By connecting historical events with current trends, the book underscores the importance of learning from past climate patterns to tackle today’s environmental issues.
In summary, Jim Snook’s Ice Age Extinction: Cause and Human Consequences is a vital contribution to the study of climate history and its effects on life on Earth. The book provides a thorough examination of how changes in temperature and carbon dioxide levels have shaped the planet's ecological and human history.
Jim Snook received a BS in geology in 1958 and did graduate work at Wichita State University. His 30 years in the oil industry included production and exploration geology throughout the western United States and western Canada. He was a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists from 1964 to 1992.
In the course of his work, at high altitudes, along the tree lines in Alaska, and in the drilling and production of deep natural gas wells with high carbon dioxide content, Snook studied the effects of carbon dioxide and other atmospheric conditions on plant growth, and observed the workings of glaciers. Snook has studied science for over 50 years, both ideas currently in vogue and many viable ideas long forgotten. With retirement, his research has led to the writing of Ice Age Extinction: Cause and Human Consequences.
