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Jeremy D. Shakun (often referred to in academic literature as J. D. Shakun) is a prominent American paleoclimatologist and Associate Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Boston College
. He is best known for his research on global temperature reconstructions and the relationship between greenhouse gases and ice ages. Academic Profile Current Position
: Associate Professor, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Boston College : He earned his Ph.D. from Oregon State University and conducted significant postdoctoral research at Harvard University Key Scientific Contributions
Shakun's work focuses on understanding the mechanisms of climate change over geological timescales, specifically the Quaternary period (the last 2.6 million years). Global Temperature Reconstructions : He lead-authored a seminal 2012 study in
that reconstructed global temperatures during the last deglaciation. This research provided critical evidence that rising carbon dioxide levels preceded global warming at the end of the last ice age, countering common climate skeptic arguments. Holocene Climate Trends : He co-authored a high-profile 2013 paper in
(with Marcott et al.) that reconstructed regional and global temperatures for the past 11,300 years (the Holocene). This study highlighted that the rapid global warming of the 20th century is unprecedented compared to the long-term cooling trend seen throughout most of the Holocene. Ice Sheet History : His research utilizes cosmogenic nuclide dating
(using isotopes like Beryllium-10) to determine when glaciers and ice sheets retreated, helping to map the history of the Laurentide and Greenland ice sheets. Major Publications
"Global warming preceded by increasing carbon dioxide concentrations during the last deglaciation,"
"A reconstruction of regional and global temperature for the past 11,300 years," "A global database of Holocene paleotemperature records," Scientific Data or his recent work on Greenland's ice melt The seasonal temperature conundrum for the Holocene - PMC 25 Apr 2025 — shakun dewett
Jeremy Shakun is a paleoclimatologist and professor at Boston College whose research focuses on global climate change over thousands of years [1, 5, 11]. He is widely recognized for his work using "proxy" data—like ocean sediments and ice cores—to reconstruct past temperatures and understand how greenhouse gases drive global warming [2, 3]. Academic Background & Expertise
Current Position: Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Boston College [1, 5].
Education: He earned his Ph.D. from Oregon State University, where his research began gaining significant attention in the scientific community [4, 5].
Core Research: His work focuses on Quaternary paleoclimatology, investigating the causes of ice ages and the relationship between carbon dioxide and global temperature shifts [2, 10]. Key Scientific Contributions
Shakun's research often addresses major debates in climate science:
CO2 and Warming: One of his most cited studies, published in Nature, demonstrated that rising CO2 levels preceded global warming at the end of the last ice age, providing a critical rebuttal to climate change skeptics [3, 8, 11].
Temperature Reconstructions: He has developed comprehensive global temperature maps covering the last 20,000 years, helping scientists compare modern warming to historical natural variations [3, 6].
Glacial History: He uses cosmogenic nuclide dating (analyzing isotopes in rocks) to determine exactly when glaciers retreated in different parts of the world, such as Greenland and the Andes [7, 9, 10]. Why His Work Matters Jeremy D
By reconstructing how the Earth responded to past changes in greenhouse gases, Shakun’s work provides a baseline for predicting how the planet will react to modern human-induced climate change [2, 3]. His findings reinforce the consensus that greenhouse gases are the primary driver of global temperature changes [8, 11].
Here’s a short, useful story about a fictional character named Shakun Dewett—designed to leave you with a practical takeaway.
Shakun Dewett and the Unfinished Bridge
Shakun Dewett was known in her village as the "Queen of Small Beginnings." While others dreamed of grand results, Shakun had a peculiar habit: she started things others called too tiny to matter.
Every morning, she carried one brick to the edge of the broken bridge that connected her village to the main road. Just one brick. Neighbors laughed. "At that rate, the bridge will take ten years!"
Shakun smiled. "Good. Then in ten years, it will be done."
She never missed a day. Rain or shine, festival or funeral, that brick went down. After six months, people noticed a small pillar. After a year, a child sat on her growing wall to tie a shoelace. After two years, three other villagers quietly started bringing their own bricks.
By year five, the bridge was half-finished. A vegetable seller began using it to cross halfway, saving twenty minutes. That efficiency let him expand his business. By year eight, the village council voted to fund the rest. At year ten, exactly as Shakun had predicted, the bridge stood complete. Shakun Dewett and the Unfinished Bridge Shakun Dewett
When a young journalist asked her for the secret to such patience, Shakun said:
"Everyone wants to build a bridge. No one wants to carry the first brick. But success isn't the bridge—it's the daily choice to show up for what doesn't yet exist."
The useful lesson:
You don’t need a massive plan or immediate results. Small, consistent action—even one brick a day—builds what grand intentions never finish. Shakun Dewett’s real gift wasn’t patience; it was refusing to underestimate the power of ridiculously small, repeated effort.
After his playing career, Dewett remained involved in cricket administration in Madhya Pradesh. He served as a selector for the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association in the 1960s and coached young players at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.
He passed away on March 12, 1978, at the age of 62, largely forgotten by the national media. However, cricket historians in Indore still recall him as a gentleman cricketer who, on another day, might have had a longer run for India.
Shakun Devan is a distinguished Human Resources (HR) consultant, facilitator, and leadership coach based in India. With a career spanning over two decades, she is widely recognized for her expertise in transforming organizational culture and enhancing leadership capabilities. She is the founder of her own consulting firm and has worked with a diverse portfolio of multinational corporations (MNCs) and public sector undertakings.
Between 1939 and 1951, Dewett represented Holkar and later Madhya Bharat in the Ranji Trophy. His finest domestic season came in 1944-45, when he amassed over 400 runs at an average near 50, including two centuries. His highest first-class score — 123 not out — came against Baroda, a team that often featured Test stars.
Notably, he formed a strong middle-order partnership with the legendary C.K. Nayudu, who captained Holkar. Nayudu, India’s first Test captain, spoke highly of Dewett’s match awareness and resilience.