Global mean surface temperature difference from the average for 1880–2009 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
More than half of common plant species and a third of animals could see a serious decline in their habitat range.
A new study published in Nature Climate Change suggests that if nothing is done to curb climate change, the impact on animal and plant life could be catastrophic.
The study, which comprises of researchers from the U.K., Columbia and Australia, examined the impact of climate change (specifically rising temperature) on nearly 50, 000 different species.
The team carried out climate modeling and examined three main factors: climate sensitivity, ocean mixing and climate-carbon feedback that amplifies the temperature. By mapping the areas that would remain suitable for species habitation scientists were able to determine that there would be a great habitat loss unless mitigating factors emerge.
According to the report, global warming will destroy over half the habitat of plant life and a third of the habitat of animal life, a transition that may occur as a tipping point or over long periods. Temperatures are predicted to rise seven degrees Fahrenheit by 2100 due to global warming, according the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The rise in temperature is largely due to burning fossil fuels, which retain heat and warm the atmosphere. Over the past century, global temperatures have risen about 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit, according data presented by the National Academy of Sciences. If this temperature rise happens at the rate predicated, large range contractions can be expected among common and widespread species.
The changes predicted by the model would likely lead to the extinction of some 34 percent of animal species and 57 percent of plant species, say scientists. The reason for the massive decline, according to the report, is largely due to the rapid change in temperature, which many species will struggle to adapt to over the course of just a few years.
“Our research predicts that climate change will greatly reduce the diversity of even very common species found in most parts of the world. This loss of global-scale biodiversity would significantly impoverish the biosphere and the ecosystem services it provides,” says Rachel Warren, of the University of East Anglia and a lead author of the study.
The team notes that the rapid change would have major ramifications for humans.
The Latest Bing News on:
Climate change
- Climate Change on Trialon May 27, 2023 at 9:37 am
The BBC travels to Norway to meet the young people taking on their government in an attempt to prevent further drilling for oil and gas. They believe their country's export of fossil fuels is putting ...
- Board game designers aim to make tackling climate change funon May 27, 2023 at 7:08 am
Daybreak is set to launch this spring after years of development to tackle one of the most complex topics of all, how to combat climate change.
- Port: Pavlovian opposition to 'climate change' is what's making carbon pipeline construction difficulton May 27, 2023 at 6:52 am
"A carbon pipeline could be a lifeline for North Dakota's carbon-heavy industries, but a certain faction of citizens can't get past the term 'climate change.'" ...
- Cracks emerging in Europe's united front to battle climate changeon May 27, 2023 at 6:47 am
The European Union has been at the forefront of the fight against climate change and the protection of nature for years ...
- Pacific islands, in spotlight, to push climate change in South Korea summiton May 27, 2023 at 6:06 am
Pacific island leaders will meet South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul on Monday, their third summit in a week with a large economy as the region seeks stronger action on climate change as it ...
- Audit finds California water agency not adequately considering climate change in forecastson May 27, 2023 at 5:00 am
State auditors say California's Department of Water Resources is failing to adequately account for climate change in its water-supply forecasts.
- Hurricanes and climate change: What's the connection?on May 27, 2023 at 4:00 am
Science tells us there's a connection between hurricanes and climate change. But how strong is it? And what can we expect for the future?
- Sadiq Khan: "Climate change is happening here and now - but the key message is that there's hope for the future"on May 26, 2023 at 11:00 pm
As he becomes one of the first politicians to publish a book while serving, the Mayor discusses the small steps we can all make towards building a better tomorrow.
- How gaming can simulate climate changeon May 26, 2023 at 7:00 pm
Susanna Pollack and Sheridan Tatsuno talk about dealing with climate change, and the role gamers can play in the effort.
- Military must focus on short- and long-term challenges of climate change, report findson May 25, 2023 at 7:55 am
Climate change may imperil the U.S. military's ability to train troops, maintain equipment and facilities and operate effectively both at home and abroad, according to a new report on global warming's ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Climate change
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Climate change” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on:
Loss of global-scale biodiversity
- Provinces and territories commit to national biodiversity strategy — here’s what it means for natureon May 26, 2023 at 3:57 pm
Five months after COP15, governments in Canada agree to work together to protect the country’s lands and waters, but progress is slow ...
- Biodiversity loss is more serious than previously thought, Belfast study findson May 23, 2023 at 7:40 am
The Belfast scientists’ global study on biodiversity was conducted using population trends as a measure rather than the traditional methods.
- Global loss of wildlife is ‘significantly more alarming’ than previously thought, according to a new studyon May 22, 2023 at 5:41 pm
The global loss of wildlife is “significantly more ... “Our findings provide a stark confirmation on a global scale.” For decades, the extinction crisis has been defined by “conservation ...
- Global loss of wildlife is ‘significantly more alarming’ than previously thought, according to a new studyon May 22, 2023 at 4:25 pm
The global loss of wildlife is “significantly more alarming” than previously thought, according to a new study that found almost half the planet’s species are experiencing rapid population declines.
- Half of animal species in population decline worldwide, research findson May 22, 2023 at 4:02 pm
However, the new research used a global-scale analysis of a different measure ... are in fact progressively declining.” Global biodiversity loss is seen as one of the most serious challenges ...
- From agreement to action: The road ahead for the Global Biodiversity Frameworkon May 18, 2023 at 9:02 pm
The International Day for Biological Diversity, celebrated each year on 22 May, is an opportunity to not only appreciate the central role healthy biodiversity plays in our lives, but also to assess ...
- Halting Biodiversity Loss And Protecting Nature: The Important Role Of International Environmental Lawon May 13, 2023 at 1:04 am
This landmark agreement is the latest in the series of global efforts such as the Convention ... have for many years contributed to rapid biodiversity loss across the world, and will require ...
- Global loss of biodiversity is significantly more alarming than previously suspectedon December 7, 2021 at 7:39 am
A new study led by researchers from Queen’s University Belfast has shown that the global loss of biodiversity caused by human industrialisation is significantly more alarming than previously thought.
- Risks of biodiversity loss pose a global threaton May 25, 2015 at 12:25 am
However, many businesses are continuing to ignore the issue of biodiversity loss and the impact that it will have on their future profitability. According to a study carried out by global ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Loss of global-scale biodiversity
[google_news title=”” keyword=”loss of global-scale biodiversity” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
