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According to research published in Science on December 5, if present greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated, a large part of Earth's biodiversity will be extinct by the end of the century. The study, which examined over 450 research publications published over the last 30 years, emphasizes the growing threat that climate change poses to world species, particularly amphibians and those living in mountain, island, and freshwater environments. The report emphasizes the urgent need for focused conservation initiatives and stronger climate action.
Climate Change and Increasing Extinction Risks
Mark Urban, a biologist at the University of Connecticut, led the study, which examined the impact of various warming scenarios on species survival, reports stated. The findings show that limiting global temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius, as stipulated in the Paris Agreement, might reduce extinction chances. However, a 1.5-degree Celsius rise may still put nearly 180,000 species—one in every 50 worldwide—at risk of extinction.
According to the report, if temperatures rise by 2.7 degrees Celsius, the danger doubles, with one in every 20 species potentially risking extinction. Higher warming scenarios, such as a 4.3-degree Celsius rise, predict a nearly 15% extinction rate, which rises to almost 30% if temperatures reach 5.4 degrees Celsius.
Amphibians and Ecosystem Vulnerability
According to Urban, amphibians are especially susceptible since their life cycles rely on consistent weather patterns. Ecosystems in South America, Australia, and New Zealand have also been highlighted as extinction hotspots due to their remoteness, which makes migration and adaption difficult for local species. He told Live Science that ecosystems such as mountains and islands are particularly vulnerable since the surrounding habitats are frequently unsuitable for migration.
Call for Policy and Conservation Action
The report emphasizes the importance of global policy initiatives to reduce emissions and conserve ecosystems. Urban underlined that the findings remove confusion regarding the influence of climate change on species extinction, pushing governments to take urgent action.
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