Scientists predict mass extinction as Earth’s climate heats up
Extreme heat, increased volcanic activity, and the creation of a massive supercontinent could render Earth almost uninhabitable in 250 million years, according to a recent study from the University of Bristol, Kazinform News Agency reports.
Advanced climate models were employed by researchers to simulate the conditions of this distant future, uncovering a hostile environment in which the survival of most mammals, including humans, would be severely challenged.
The research, which was published in Nature Geoscience, suggests that temperatures may rise to between 40°C and 70°C as tectonic movements combine the continents into a single landmass known as Pangea Ultima. A hot, dry climate with limited water supplies would arise from the greenhouse effect caused by an increase in solar radiation and volcanic CO2 emissions.
Lead researcher Dr. Alexander Farnsworth emphasized the severity of these conditions, stating: “Widespread temperatures of between 40 to 50 degrees Celsius, and even greater daily extremes, compounded by high levels of humidity would ultimately seal our fate. Humans – along with many other species – would expire due to their inability to shed this heat through sweat, cooling their bodies.”
Mammals, in contrast to their adaptations for cold environments, possess limited ability to withstand extended periods of extreme heat. While sweating plays an essential role in helping humans regulate body temperature, the combination of extreme heat and high humidity can disrupt this vital process, posing serious risks to survival in different regions.
According to scientists, just 8–16% of the planet's surface will be habitable for mammals when the supercontinent forms. They stress that understanding these trends is crucial for studying the evolution of the planet's climate and the effects of recent environmental changes, even if this scenario is far-off into the future.
“It is vitally important not to lose sight of our current Climate Crisis, which is a result of human emissions of greenhouse gases. While we are predicting an uninhabitable planet in 250 million years, today we are already experiencing extreme heat that is detrimental to human health. This is why it is crucial to reach net-zero emissions as soon as possible,” co-author Dr. Eunice Lo said.
Earlier, it was reported that the Copernicus Climate Change Service has declared January 2025 to be the hottest January on record.
