Research shows that Earth’s most beloved creatures are in danger of extinction under current emissions

Snow leopards in the Himalayas, lemurs in Madagascar and elephants in Central Africa: some of the beloved creatures are on their way to extinction, a new study shows, thanks to the current one emission of greenhouse gassesUnless humans stop pumping carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere, researchers say the planet’s biodiversity will have devastating consequences.

In a study published Friday in the journal Biological Conservation, scientists warn that some of the richest concentrations of plants and animals on Earth will be “irreversibly afflicted” by global warming unless countries make a real effort to achieve their goals. are made under the Paris Climate Convention 2015They report a grave danger of extinction in nearly 300 biodiversity “hot spots” if the temperature rises three degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Below the Paris Agreementcountries pledged to keep warming “well below” two degrees Celsius. Even if these commitments are met, temperatures are still expected to rise above three degrees Celsius before the end of the century.

So, which species will be hit hardest? Scientists point out endemic species: Plants and animals that only occur in specific locations, such as a country or an island – animals such as snow leopards and forest elephants.

They found that endemic land species, particularly in biodiversity hotspots, are nearly three times more likely to suffer losses from climate change than species that are more widespread, and ten times more than invasive species

“Climate change threatens areas overflowing with species found nowhere else in the world,” lead author Stella Manes said in a statement. “The risk of such species being lost forever increases more than 10 times if we miss the goals of the Paris Agreement.”

Not all species face the same threat. In mountain areas, 84% of endemic species will be threatened with extinction if the earth warms an additional two degrees, while the number in the islands rises to 100%.

In total, more than 90% of native land-based species and 95% of marine species will be adversely affected. Mediterranean marine species are particularly vulnerable because they are trapped in an enclosed sea.

“These species cannot easily move naturally to a more favorable environment,” explains study co-author Mark Costello.

Two of the three species in the tropics can only perish due to climate change. And safe havens in biodiversity hotspots, where conservationists have worked for years to protect these species, may prove useless in the face of climate change.

“Unfortunately, our study shows that those places rich in biodiversity will not be able to act as a kind of refuge from climate change,” said study co-author Mariana Vale.

Scientists say every tenth degree is important to the devastating effects of one mass extinctionBut carbon dioxide and methane levels in the atmosphere continued to rise in 2020, with the CO2 level reaching its highest point in 3.6 million years.

“The increase in 2020 is likely to remain one of the largest in the entire record.” said the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.