Extreme heat could put more than 40% of terrestrial vertebrates in danger by the end of the century, study says

According to scientists, animals are already being more exposed to drought events and high temperatures with greater duration and intensity, which makes the global warming a major threat to biodiversity.

According to search (🇬🇧), by 2100, 31,1% of mammals, 25,8% of birds, 55,5% of amphibians and 51% of reptiles will be exposed to extreme thermal events beyond their historical levels in at least half of the area where they are distributed throughout the world Earth, in a 4,4°C warming scenario.

Researchers estimated the effects of extreme heat on more than 33 terrestrial vertebrates, using predictions from global climate models based on different levels of carbon emissions. greenhouse gases, as well as the distribution of animals on the planet.

In a more intermediate scenario of 3,6°C warming, 29% of terrestrial vertebrates will experience extreme heat events, according to the report. If humanity manages to stop the thermometer rising to 1,8°C, only 6% of vertebrates will face the risk. 🌡️

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More than 1 in 10 species could be lost by the end of the century, study warns

Earth could lose more than a tenth of its plant and animal species by the end of the century. This is what new research published in the journal Science Advances concluded. The climate crisis will lead to an accelerated cascade of extinctions in the coming decades; As predators lose their prey, parasites lose their hosts and rising temperatures make life on the planet impossible.

How artificial intelligence can help endangered species

Researchers created an algorithm that, through artificial intelligence, analyzes species whose lack of information hindered the classification of extinction risk. Many of them, it seems, are in more danger than previously imagined.

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