A team of researchers from the University of Bristol has provided a sobering forecast for Earth, predicting a mass extinction event in approximately 250 million years. The study highlights the catastrophic effects of rising temperatures caused by fossil fuel emissions, projecting conditions that will become too hostile for mammals to survive.
As Earth’s tectonic plates shift and eventually form a new supercontinent, combined with an intensified sun and elevated carbon dioxide levels, much of the planet could face temperatures between 104°F and 158°F (40°C to 70°C). The environment would lack the water and food sources necessary to sustain life, with researchers warning that even the most heat-tolerant mammals, including humans, would struggle to adapt.
Lead author Dr. Alexander Farnsworth explained that a “triple whammy” of geological changes, increased solar radiation, and heightened greenhouse gases would create a largely uninhabitable planet. Co-author Dr. Eunice Lo emphasized the urgent need to address the ongoing climate crisis, as current extreme heat events already pose significant health risks.
The study underscores the importance of reaching net-zero emissions to mitigate the speed of these changes. If immediate action isn’t taken to reduce fossil fuel use, the timeline for Earth’s habitability could be drastically shortened, accelerating the end of life as we know it.
