Explore the Emiliani Lecture from the AGU 2012 Fall Meeting, delving into the critical relationship between past climate events and future predictions. Learn about isotope fractionation, scientific achievements in paleoclimatology, and the importance of historical data in understanding climate change. Examine topics such as carbon isotope excursions, atmospheric CO2 levels, and climate sensitivity. Discover how paleoclimate analogues can inform our understanding of current and future climate trends. Gain insights into the lecturer's model and perspectives on CO2 emissions, and consider the question: "Will history teach us something?" This 53-minute talk provides a comprehensive overview of key concepts in paleoclimatology and their relevance to contemporary climate science.