In recent years we have seen major advances in many geochemical techniques and an increase in the complexity of Earth System Models. The aim of this session is to share progress in our understanding of global climate changes occurring during the pre-Quaternary based on the integration of geochemical/paleobotanical/sedimentary techniques and numerical models. The geological record provides insight into how climate processes may operate and evolve in a high CO2 environment and the nature of the climate system during a turnover from glacial to greenhouse state — a transition that may potentially occur in the near future. We seek abstracts that reconstruct Earth’s climate, investigate how the interconnections of the key surface reservoirs impact climate (vegetation-ocean-atmosphere) and identify climatic tipping points and thresholds. Pertinent themes may include past episodes of deglaciation, greenhouse-icehouse transitions and intervals of high atmospheric CO2.