Final answer:
The reporter incorrectly stated that Earth's temperatures were 36°F to 37°F warmer 70 m.y.a, when in fact, historic temperature increases such as during the Medieval Climate Anomaly were much smaller, around 0.10°C to 0.20°C above the norm, but still impactful.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that it was 'much warmer 70 million years ago (m.y.a.) compared to the present' refers to Earth's historical climate changes. However, the reporter made an error by suggesting that Earth was 36°F to 37°F (2°C to 3°C) warmer than it is today. In reality, during the Medieval Climate Anomaly, temperatures were only around 0.10°C to 0.20°C above the norm, which was significant enough to impact sea ice and enable Viking colonization of Greenland. Additionally, during the Eemian interglacial period, the average temperature was only a few degrees higher than today yet led to sea levels 6-9 meters higher. It's important to recognize that even a small average global temperature increase can have substantial effects on the climate and environment. This has been highlighted by the changes during past anomalous periods such as the Medieval Warm Period, the Little Ice Age, and the current rise in temperatures attributed to the Industrial Era.