What Is the Hothouse Earth Trajectory?
Provided by: Probable Futures|Published on: March 30, 2025|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12, AP
Type: Articles/Websites
Subjects: Physics, Earth and Space Sciences, History
Authors: Probable Futures
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this article from Probable Futures, students will learn about the processes increasing the likelihood of a Hothouse Earth.
- Students will learn how human actions are creating feedback loops and reaching tipping points that can do irreparable damage to Earth, as we know it.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This article covers a wide range of topics, such as tipping points and feedback loops, while remaining brief and concise.
- The included chart helps students visualize the history of Earth's climate.
Prerequisites
- Students may become overwhelmed or distressed when discussing climate tipping points. Teachers may want to follow this article with a solutions-based discussion to instill hope for the future.
- Students should have a basic understanding of climate change and the greenhouse effect.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Teachers can use this article to introduce climate feedback loops and their significance. After reading the article students can select one of the loops mentioned to research more in-depth.
- Teachers can follow this article with the video 10 Years to Transform the Future or Threaten the Planet to further discuss climate tipping points and the urgent need for action.
- After reading this article, teachers can focus on the final paragraph to transition students into talking about solutions. Teachers can task students with selecting a solution from Project Drawdown's Table of Solutions and creating a persuasive piece of writing to urge those with power to implement it.
This resource explores both the man-made and natural sources of climate change. It explains how the climate system changed millions of years ago and how greenhouse gasses have fueled the current global warming that we are all seeing. The hothouse trajectory theory, feedback loops, tipping points and the future climate we might anticipate if immediate action is not made to buck the trend are also highlighted. This resource is suggested for use in instruction after passing our science review.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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