Global warming presents the gravest threat to life on Earth. The planet is warming to a degree that many species can’t handle.
In a recent study, scientists have observed that marine life is fleeing the equator to relocate to cooler waters. Due to global warming, tropical waters have become too hot for these species to survive.
It could trigger a mass extinction event
The same thing happened 252 million years ago when 90% of all marine species were wiped out. It was the largest extinction in Earth’s history that marked the end of the Permian period. Caused by global warming, when global temperatures warmed by 50 degrees Fahrenheit or 10 degrees Celsius. Permian mass extinction in the oceans left animals unable to breathe.
Although the change in global temperatures isn’t as high as 252 million years ago, it’s still enough to eliminate their habitat or even kill some species that can’t stand the heat.
Scientists have earlier predicted that if we keep going at our current greenhouse gas emissions trajectory, up to 70% of the Earth’s animal and plant species will face extinction by the end of the century.
