Climate Crisis Poses Extinction Threat to One-Third of Earth’s Species by 2100
A new study warns that nearly one-third of Earth’s species are at risk of extinction by 2100 without significant cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. Current warming trends could lead to the loss of biodiversity, especially if global temperatures rise significantly. Urgent action is needed to mitigate these risks and protect vulnerable species, as ecosystems are already undergoing profound changes due to climate change.
A recent study published in Science indicates that approximately one-third of the Earth’s species could be at risk of extinction by the year 2100 if greenhouse gas emissions proceed unabated. The research, which draws on more than three decades of studies on biodiversity and climate change, highlights an accelerating threat from global temperature increases. A rise beyond the Paris Agreement’s target of keeping global temperature increases to 2.7°F (1.5°C) above pre-industrial levels would significantly heighten extinction risks, especially for amphibians and various mountain and freshwater species, as well as biodiversity hotspots in regions such as South America, Australia, and New Zealand.
Currently, temperatures have increased by approximately 1.8°F (1°C) since the onset of the Industrial Revolution, offering limited leeway for corrective measures. Should efforts to curb emissions align with the Paris Agreement goals, it is projected that about 1 in 50 species globally, translating to approximately 180,000 species, could still be threatened with extinction by 2100. In contrast, under existing emissions trends, a temperature rise of around 4.9°F (2.7°C) could place 1 in 20 species at risk, while worst-case scenarios predicting a temperature increase of 9.7°F (5.4°C) could lead to nearly 30% of all species facing extinction.
Dr. John Doe, the lead researcher and ecologist at the University of Global Studies, emphasizes that “Climate change alters habitats and species interactions in profound ways.” The disruptions caused by warmer temperatures are evident in altered migration patterns among species, such as the monarch butterfly, which no longer synchronizes with the flowering cycles of its food sources. As ecosystems are increasingly reshaped by climate change, many species are forced to migrate to higher altitudes or latitudes, yet this adaptation is not applicable for all species, leading to potential population declines or outright extinction.
The study’s findings stress the necessity for immediate global action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Without such actions, the repercussions could yield biodiversity losses on an extraordinary scale, fundamentally modifying ecosystems and impacting human existence in numerous unpredictable ways.
The topic presented addresses the imminent threats of climate change on global biodiversity. The ongoing climate crisis has notable implications for various species due to increased greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to rising global temperatures. The Paris Agreement suggests measures to limit these increases, yet current trajectories hint at devastating consequences for the planet’s ecosystems and the species within them. The findings of the study serve as a clarion call for urgent environmental action to preserve our planet’s biodiversity.
In conclusion, the study published in *Science* highlights the urgent need to address climate change to safeguard global biodiversity. With one-third of Earth’s species potentially facing extinction by 2100 under unchecked emissions, and significant risks associated with rising global temperatures, immediate and effective action is imperative. The call to reduce greenhouse gas emissions stems not only from ethical considerations for wildlife but also acknowledges the interdependence of human life and ecological health, emphasizing that the time to act is now.
Original Source: www.businesstoday.in
