Mass Extinction of Mammals Predicted in 250 Million Years, Study Shows
According to a groundbreaking study published in the journal Nature Geoscience, mammals are facing a grim future with a mass extinction projected to occur in 250 million years. The study, which utilized supercomputer climate models, paints a dire picture of extreme heat caused by the formation of a supercontinent.
Factors contributing to this catastrophic event include a hotter sun, increased levels of CO2, and continental effects. These elements combine to create lethal temperatures that could render mammals, including humans, unable to survive. Historically, mammals have adapted to weather extremes, but the prolonged excessive heat would prove unsurvivable.
The research emphasizes the importance of assessing landmass layouts when evaluating the habitability of exoplanets. In this case, the formation of the supercontinent would result in a hostile environment devoid of food and water sources for mammals, with temperatures soaring to a scorching 40 to 50 degrees Celsius. Shockingly, only 8% to 16% of the land area would remain habitable for mammals.
As the sun grows brighter and tectonic processes lead to more frequent volcanic eruptions, temperatures are projected to rise even further. This study, which used climate models to simulate various climate factors, also predicts future CO2 levels exceeding 600 parts per million (ppm).
The implications of this research underscore the urgent need to address the current climate crisis and strive for net-zero emissions. The study’s findings have far-reaching consequences, not only for Earth but also for possible habitable worlds beyond our own. It suggests that evaluating tectonics and continental layouts could be key in determining the habitability of other planets.
The study was part of a funded project by UK Research and Innovation Natural Environment Research Council (UKRI NERC) investigating supercontinent climates and mass extinctions. By shedding light on the distant future, this research serves as a wake-up call for humanity to take action and safeguard our planet’s future.
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