Climate change holds a special relevance to geoscientists, who use the evidence preserved in rock and fossil records to gain an informed perspective on present and future trends in climate.
18 March 2011
March 21 - 27 is the UK's first 'Climate Week', with the aim of raising awareness of the issues surrounding our changing climate, and what can be done. To recognise Climate Week, the Geological Society is holding a number of events and activities.
How is the Geological Society getting involved?
23 March: "Rocks, carbon and climate: Geological evidence for Earth's future environment"
A talk by Dr Anthony Cohen, Open University, which will explore how Earth's climate has been controlled throughout its 4.5 billion-year history by a wide range of natural environmental processes. The talk will focus on a few key episodes of the last 200 million years when abrupt global warming was caused by the sudden introduction of large quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and oceans.
For more information, visit
Rocks Carbon and Climate
School competition
Over the last few weeks, we have been challenging students aged 11 - 18 to produce a poster, communicating an aspect of climate change from a geoscientist's perspective. The winners will be announced during Climate Week, and winning and shortlisted entries will be displayed at the Society throughout the week.
Open access papers: Between 21 March and 27 April, papers from the Society's Lyell collection which relate to climate science will be freely available. For more information, visit
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/openaccess
Notes for editors
1. The Geological Society of London, founded 1807, is a learned and professional body, of almost 10,000 Earth scientists with a remit to investigate, interpret, discuss, inform and advise on the nature and processes of the Earth, their practical importance to humanity, and, in the interests of the public, to promote professional excellence. The Society offers advice to Parliament and Government, at individual and corporate levels. Registered Charity No. 210161.
2. Climate Week is 21 - 27 March. Over 180 supporting bodies are involved, including businesses, schools, charities and and councils that represent a further 850,000 organisations. Many scientific organisations are participating, including the Natural History Museum, the Linnean Society, Our Dynamic Earth, the Met Office, Royal Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh and Kew, and the Royal Society. The full list of supporters and details can be found at
www.climateweek.com.