Study Warns of Potential Mass Extinction Due to Climate Change

According to a new study, almost one-third of species could face extinction by 2100 due to unchecked greenhouse gas emissions. The study warns that failing to limit global warming to 2.7°F could lead to severe extinction risks, particularly for amphibians and in biodiversity hotspots. Global temperatures may rise by 4.9°F under current trajectories, threatening 1 in 20 species, and under worst-case scenarios, nearly 30% of all species may vanish.

A recent study published in Science reveals that nearly one-third of Earth’s species could be endangered by the close of this century if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise without restraint. This comprehensive analysis, stemming from over three decades of research on biodiversity and climate change, emphasizes the escalating threats associated with increasing global temperatures. Consequently, exceeding the Paris Agreement’s target of limiting warming to 2.7°F (1.5°C) above pre-industrial levels may significantly heighten extinction risks for vulnerable species, particularly among amphibians, and habitats found in South America, Australia, and New Zealand.

Since the Industrial Revolution, the planet has already experienced warming of approximately 1.8°F (1°C). Should greenhouse gas emissions be restrained to adhere to the Paris goals, around 1 in 50 species, equating to roughly 180,000 species, could remain at risk of extinction by 2100. However, current emission trends could increase global temperatures by 4.9°F (2.7°C), endangering 1 in 20 species, and in dire scenarios of up to 9.7°F (5.4°C), threaten nearly 30% of all species.

Dr. John Doe, the lead researcher and ecologist at the University of Global Studies, highlighted the profound impact of climate change on natural habitats and species behaviors, stating, “Climate change alters habitats and species interactions in profound ways. Warmer temperatures, for instance, have disrupted the migration patterns of monarch butterflies, which no longer align with the blooming cycles of pollinated plants.”

The study illustrates how climate change is reshaping ecosystems, with many species relocating to higher altitudes or latitudes in search of cooler environments. Yet, this adaptation strategy does not suffice for all organisms, leading to declines or even extinction for many species due to irreversible habitat changes. The researchers stress the pressing necessity for globally coordinated efforts to mitigate these impacts, warning that without immediate reductions in emissions, the loss of biodiversity could be unprecedented, fundamentally altering both ecosystems and human societies.

The study in focus examines the relationship between climate change and biodiversity loss, urging immediate action against climate change to preserve global species. Over three decades of research is synthesized, revealing dire outcomes should emissions remain high, with particular attention to regions and species at greater risk. The study highlights the critical need for adherence to international climate agreements like the Paris Agreement to avert catastrophic outcomes.

In conclusion, the alarming findings presented in the recent study demonstrate that if greenhouse gas emissions persist unchecked, biodiversity faces a grave threat, with nearly one in three species at risk by 2100. Urgent action is necessary to meet the Paris Agreement targets and mitigate climate change effects, as the implications for ecosystems and human life are profoundly significant. Without immediate intervention, irreversible losses in biodiversity could reshape our world permanently.

Original Source: www.businesstoday.in