Study of 56-million-year-old leaves shows high CO2 harms forests, challenges greening claims

Paleontological analysis of fossilized leaves from a warm period 56 million years ago suggests elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide damages forest productivity, contradicting arguments that fossil fuel emissions could benefit vegetation.

First covered Aug 13, 2026 · 11:00 AM PT · 1 article

Study of 56-million-year-old leaves shows high CO2 harms forests, challenges greening claims — Image via theguardian.com

Coverage

6h Guardian Environment Fossils show huge carbon emissions harm forests, not ‘green the planet’ — Study of 56m-year-old leaves counters claims from Trump administration members of ‘benefits’ of fossil fuel pollution Adding huge quantities of carbon dioxide…

Primary sources

climate.gov Climate change: atmospheric carbon dioxide

More coverage from around the web

stri.si.edu Leaf detective | Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

science.org Fossil leaves bear witness to ancient carbon dioxide levels | Science

uu.nl Global warming and CO2 emissions 56 million years ago resulted in massive forest fires and soil erosion - News - Utrecht University

phys.org Current carbon dioxide levels last seen 14 million years ago

eurekalert.org Global warming and CO2 emissions 56 million years ago resulted in massive forest fires and soil erosion | EurekAlert!

Appeared in: 2026-08-13 (#11) · 2026-08-14 (#11)

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