What was the main effect of the Great Oxygenation Event on earth’s climate

Increased global temperatures
Lowered global temperatures
Increased carbon dioxide levels
Increased methane levels

1 answer

The main effect of the Great Oxygenation Event (GOE) on Earth's climate was that it lowered global temperatures. The GOE occurred around 2.4 billion years ago when photosynthetic cyanobacteria began producing significant amounts of oxygen, fundamentally altering the composition of the atmosphere. This increase in atmospheric oxygen led to the oxidation of methane and a reduction in greenhouse gas levels, which contributed to global cooling. The combination of these changes played a significant role in the development of ice ages and a cooler climate overall.