A huge portion of Earth’s biodiversity faces extinction by the end of the century if current greenhouse gas emissions continue uncheck, as per findings publish in Science on 5th December 2024.
The study, which review over 450 research papers spanning 30 years, highlights the escalating threat climate change poses to global species, particularly amphibians and those in mountain, island, and freshwater ecosystems.
The analysis draws attention to the urgent need for target conservation efforts and stricter climate action.
The research, conduct by Mark Urban, a biologist at the University of Connecticut, analyse the impact of various warming scenarios on species survival, as per reports.
The findings suggest that maintaining global temperature increases below 1.5 degrees Celsius, as outline in the Paris Agreement, can limit extinction risks.
But, a rise of 1.5 degrees Celsius can still place approximately 180,000 species, 1 in 50 worldwide at risk of extinction.
This study warns that if temperatures increase by 2.7 degree Celsius, the risk doubles, with 1 in 20 species potentially facing extinction.
Higher warming scenarios, such as a 4.3 degree Celsius rise, project a nearly 15% extinction rate, escalating to almost 30% if temperatures climb to 5.4 degree Celsius.
According to Mark Urban, amphibians are particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on stable weather patterns for their life cycles.
Ecosystems such as those in South America, Australia, and New Zealand are also identified as hotspots for extinction risks because of their isolation, making migration and adaptation difficult for native species.
Mark Urban said that ecosystems like mountains and islands are especially affect because surrounding habitats are often unsuitable for migration.
The study underscores the necessity of global policy efforts to curb emissions and protect ecosystems.
Mark Urban emphasise that the findings eliminate uncertainty about climate change’s impact on species extinction, urging policymakers to act decisively.
