Final answer:
The Paleocene Epoch is one period associated with historical global warming. The most notable global warming event in Earth's past was at the end of the Permian period, which led to a mass extinction. Today's global warming is mainly caused by the burning of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Earth's geological past is marked by significant climatic changes, including periods of global warming and cooling. One such period associated with global warming is the Paleocene Epoch, which occurred after the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event. During the Paleocene, the Earth began to warm, and this warming facilitated the diversification of mammals and other life forms.
However, it is the end of the Permian period, approximately 251 million years ago, that was characterized by a significant global warming event leading to a mass extinction. This is known as the Permian extinction event, which resulted in the loss of a substantial portion of terrestrial and marine species due to drastic climatic changes. In modern times, global warming is primarily associated with anthropogenic causes, especially the burning of fossil fuels that significantly release greenhouse gases into Earth's atmosphere, contributing to a rise in global temperatures and climate change.