Study shows that Earth’s most beloved creatures are on the verge of extinction under current emissions

Snow leopards in the Himalayas, lemurs in Madagascar and elephants in central Africa: from Earth’s beloved beings is on the verge of extinction, shows a new study thanks to the current greenhouse gas emissions. Unless 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’ destroyed by global warming unless countries make a concerted effort to achieve their goals. 2015 Paris climate treaty. They report a major threat to extinction in nearly 300 ‘hot spots’ of biodiversity if temperatures rise three degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Among the Paris Agreement, promised nations to heat ‘well below’ two degrees Celsius. Although these commitments are met, the temperature is expected to exceed three degrees before the end of the century.

Which species will be hit the hardest? Scientists point to endemic species: Plants and animals found exclusively in specific places, such as one country or one island – animals such as snow leopards and forest elephants.

They found that endemic land species, specifically at the biodiversity hotspots, are almost three times as likely to suffer losses due to climate change as more widespread species and 10 times invader species.

“Climate change threatens areas overflowing with species that can not be found anywhere else in the world,” lead author Stella Manes said in a statement. “The risk of such species being lost forever increases more than tenfold if we miss the goals of the Paris Agreement.”

Not all species have the same threat. In mountainous regions, 84% of endemic species become extinct when the earth warms by two degrees, while the number on islands rises to 100%.

In general, more than 90% of land endemic species and 95% of marine species will be adversely affected. Mediterranean marine species are particularly vulnerable because they are trapped in a closed sea.

“By nature, these species can not easily move to more favorable environments,” explains co-author Mark Costello.

Two out of three species in the tropics can perish due to climate change alone. And safe havens in the field of biodiversity, for which conservationists have worked for years to protect these species, it may be useless in the face of climate change.

“Unfortunately, our study showed that the rich spots on biodiversity will not be able to act as a species abduction of climate change,” said co-author Mariana Vale.

Scientists say every tenth of the degree is important to avoid the devastating effects of a mass extinction event. But carbon dioxide and methane levels in the atmosphere stay up in 2020, with CO2 levels reaching their 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.