“Climate Change Threatens One-Third of Species with Extinction by 2100: Study”

A new study has revealed that almost one-third of species around the world are at risk of extinction by the end of the century if greenhouse gas emissions continue at their current rate. The study, published in the journal Science, analyzed over 30 years of biodiversity and climate change research, encompassing over 450 studies of most known species.

According to the study, if global temperatures rise to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 degrees Celsius) above the pre-industrial average temperature, exceeding the target of the Paris Agreement, extinctions would rapidly accelerate. This would especially impact species in mountain, island, and freshwater ecosystems, as well as species in South America, Australia, and New Zealand. Earth has already warmed about 1.8 F (1 C) since the Industrial Revolution.

Climate change causes shifts in temperatures and precipitation patterns, altering habitats and species interactions. Warmer temperatures have already caused disruptions in monarch butterfly migration patterns, leading to mismatches with the blooming of plants they pollinate. Many animal and plant species are shifting their ranges to higher latitudes or elevations to follow more favorable temperatures.

The study found that if greenhouse gas emissions are managed in accordance with the Paris Agreement, an estimated 180,000 species worldwide will be at risk of extinction by 2100. However, if current international emissions commitments continue, 1 in 20 species around the world would be at risk of extinction.

The number of species at risk of extinction rises sharply with hypothetical warming scenarios beyond the 1.5 C target. Under a 7.7 F (4.3 C) warming scenario, 14.9% of species would be at risk of extinction, and under a 9.7 F (5.4 C) warming scenario, 29.7% of all species would be at risk of extinction.

Study author Mark Urban, a biologist at the University of Connecticut, emphasized the importance of limiting greenhouse gas emissions to slow warming and halt the growing extinction risks. Understanding which species and ecosystems are most affected by climate change can help target conservation efforts where they are needed most.

Urban hopes that the results of the study will have an impact on policymakers, urging them to take action to address the certainty of the impacts of climate change on biodiversity. The study highlights the urgent need for global action to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect the world’s biodiversity.