Smithsonian's Fossil Hall Reimagined: A Bold Climate Message
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The Intersection of Paleontology and Climate Change
The recently updated fossil hall at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History delivers a powerful commentary on climate change, demonstrating the connection between ancient life and our current environmental crises.
A remarkable fossil of a massive sea turtle, which existed 83 to 81 million years ago and was discovered in Kansas, is featured prominently in the “David H. Koch Hall of Fossils: Deep Time” exhibition, set to open on June 8 after an extensive five-year renovation. This exhibit aims to showcase not only the wonders of the past but also the pressing issues facing our planet today.
Kirk Johnson, a paleontologist and the museum’s director since 2012, reflects on his youthful experiences excavating 50-million-year-old fossils in the Arctic, when the climate was so warm that palm trees thrived in regions we now associate with ice and snow. “It was astonishing to realize how drastically the Earth can transform,” Johnson reminisced.
As global carbon dioxide levels reach unprecedented highs, with record temperatures becoming the norm, the implications of our changing climate have never been clearer. The exhibit aims to highlight how these ancient ecosystems inform our understanding of current environmental changes.
Integrating Climate Science into the Narrative
When the Smithsonian undertook the renovation of its fossil hall, it was evident that addressing climate change would be central to the new narrative. Johnson emphasized, “Paleontology offers a crucial backdrop to contemporary issues. It is essential that we convey this scientific knowledge to the public and highlight its significance for our future.”
The exhibit, which opens to the public on June 8, represents a groundbreaking approach to natural history displays. It features iconic specimens like a massive mammoth skeleton and a towering diplodocus, all contextualized within Earth's climatic history and its current challenges.
Despite the well-established science of climate change, previous exhibitions on the topic have often sparked political contention. In 2007, it was alleged that an exhibit on Arctic changes was softened to avoid upsetting Congress during the Bush administration. However, the planning for the new fossil hall took place during the Obama administration, which prioritized climate action. Johnson noted, “There was never any doubt about the direction of this exhibit, regardless of political shifts.”
The first video, "At Smithsonian's renovated Hall of Fossils, dinosaurs are just the beginning," explores how the museum's redesign incorporates urgent climate narratives alongside its traditional paleontological displays.
Innovative Displays and Engaging Experiences
Sarah George, executive director of the Natural History Museum of Utah, praised the Smithsonian’s initiative, stating that few museums have so thoroughly integrated climate change into their main exhibits. “This approach reflects a significant shift from mere educational displays to a focus on contemporary relevance,” she noted.
The hall features striking black pillars that outline historical mass extinctions, including the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs and the ongoing threats to biodiversity caused by human activity. A scale model of a Virginia coal mine illustrates the origins of the term “fossil” as it relates to fossil fuels, while videos showcase the impacts of climate change on various environments, from Louisiana's sinking bayous to agricultural innovation in Texas.
An interactive game invites visitors to explore how climate change affects aspects of their lives, such as sports and food, while discussing actionable steps for reducing their environmental footprint. Johnson believes that every visitor will leave with a heightened awareness of climate change and humanity's part in it.
The second video, "Secrets of the Fossil Hall," delves deeper into how the exhibit connects ancient fossil records to modern climate issues.
The Evolution of the Fossil Hall
The previous fossil hall, which operated from 1911 to 2014, lacked a cohesive theme and had not undergone major updates since the early 1980s. Many fossils displayed were outdated, reflecting a time before significant discoveries reshaped our understanding of dinosaurs and their lineage.
Recent paleontological research has revealed dramatic climatic events in Earth’s history, such as the Paleocene Eocene Thermal Maximum, during which temperatures rose rapidly, mirroring current trends. Curator Scott Wing emphasized the importance of this knowledge, stating, “This exhibition is a culmination of scientific insights from the last few decades, demonstrating that human impacts are on a geological scale.”
A prominent feature of the exhibit is a graph depicting Earth’s average temperatures over the past half-billion years, highlighting the correlation between elevated carbon dioxide levels and significant warming periods. The exhibit stresses that while past carbon emissions were natural, today's emissions are primarily human-driven.
In summary, the revamped fossil hall at the Smithsonian stands as a testament to the vital connection between our planet's prehistoric past and the urgent climate challenges we face today. As visitors engage with the wonders of ancient life, they are also compelled to reflect on the future of our environment.
Sarah Kaplan is a science journalist covering national and global scientific issues. She previously contributed to The Washington Post’s Morning Mix team. Follow her on Twitter @sarahkaplan48.
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