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This online exhibit is based on the Warren D. Allmon Changing Climate: Our Future, Our Choice permanent exhibit in the Museum of the Earth.

The exhibit was made possible by many generous donors and contributors, listed here.


Climate affects life, and life affects climate

Climate change is part of the story of life on Earth. Organisms have evolved in response to climate shifts, but sometimes the shifts were so rapid or extreme that they contributed to mass extinctions.

Life also affects climate. For example, by about 300 million years ago, expanding forests absorbed heat-trapping carbon dioxide (CO₂) through photosynthesis, cooling the world when these plants were buried.

Humans are changing the Earth’s climate

Today the Earth is warming, but much more rapidly than in the past. These changes are driven mainly by human activity. When we extract and burn fossil fuels (oil, coal, and natural gas) to generate energy, we emit CO₂ and other gases that warm the atmosphere. The energy we use to power our homes, vehicles, and industries has a direct connection to the climate and all life on Earth.


Thank you!

We gratefully acknowledge all of those who contributed to the creation of this exhibit, both in the Museum of the Earth and online.

This exhibit was supported by:

  • Dr. Susan S. Fleming and her son Carter

  • BorgWarner Morse Systems

  • Legacy Foundation of Tompkins County

  • Avangrid Foundation

  • National Science Foundation

  • Martha Wright and Arthur Kuckes

  • Arthur Waterman

  • Roald and Eva Hoffmann

  • John Hermanson and Lynn Swisher

  • Charlie Mulligan

  • Aetna Foundation

  • Mark Zabel

  • Marshall and Amalie McCormick

  • Lynn Deuschle

  • Hazel Cramer

  • Marina Morris

  • Aaron Godert

  • Anonymous

We thank the many individuals who provided expertise, feedback, and support:

  • Linda Ivany

  • Tom Cronin

  • Daniel Schroeder

  • Peter Bardaglio

  • Laura VanVleet

  • All the individuals who participated in our focus groups, including students and teachers from the Lehman Alternative Community School, Ithaca College, and Cornell University, and members of the Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network.

Donated specimens:

  • Jonathan Hendricks

  • Benjamin King-Smith

  • Carol Griggs and the Cornell Tree-Ring Laboratory

Dig deeper into climate change and energy on the Learn More page of this exhibit.

Image credits: on Learn More page