New scientific study prediction for 2030

Earth will experience an alarming sixth mass extinction of millions of species

A recent report has suggested that Earth may be headed for its next significant biodiversity extinction event. This event is commonly referred to as a 6th “mass extinction event”. [i]

Researchers have determined that a significant amount of biodiversity is being lost. However, this does not meet the criteria for a “mass extinction” as defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). [i]

The IUCN defines a mass extinction event as a sudden decrease in species diversity caused by natural or human-made causes. Decreases in species abundance, genetic diversity, and extinctions can occur over a short period of time. [ii]

In order to be classified as a mass extinction, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has stated that at least three-quarters of species must disappear more quickly than the typical pace of extinction. [ii]

In the case of the current biodiversity extinction event, researchers have determined that the rate of species loss is not yet high enough to meet the IUCN criteria for a mass extinction. [i]

The researchers have noted that Earth is moving rapidly towards its sixth mass extinction event, which is characterized by an alarming increase in species loss and a steep decline in the populations of many species across the globe. [ii]

This rapid extinction of species is a direct result of human activity, such as habitat destruction, pollution, overhunting, and climate change. These activities have disrupted the delicate balance of nature, resulting in the destruction of habitats, loss of biodiversity, and the destruction of entire species. [ii]

This is not only having devastating consequences for the environment but also for humans, as we depend on the natural world for many of our resources, including food, medicine, and other materials. Unless we take immediate action to address the causes of species extinction, the world as we know it may be irreversibly changed. [i]

This increase in biodiversity is due to human activities. These include deforestation, over-harvesting, and pollution.

As the report concludes, the time for action is now. We must act more quickly and decisively to curb the destructive human practices contributing to this crisis. If that doesn’t happen, we may soon face an unprecedented and irreversible drop in biodiversity. [i]

There have been five mass extinctions during which a vast majority of life on the planet, formed 4.5 billion years ago, was wiped out. The most recent and severe of these extinctions occurred 2.8 million years ago and was estimated to have wiped out roughly 75% of living species. [ii]

A recent study conducted on the potential of a Sixth Mass Extinction concluded that there is a proportional relationship between Earth’s average surface temperature and its biodiversity. This means that as the global temperature rises, the diversity of life on Earth is expected to decrease as more species become extinct. [ii]

The study also warns that if such warming continues to occur unchecked, it could lead to a mass extinction of equal or greater magnitude than the five previous extinctions. [ii]

Determining what qualifies as extinction is based on calculating the average rate of extinction that has occurred over a long period. This is known as the “background rate” of extinction. Major mass extinctions, however, result in losing more than 60 percent of existing species. [iii]

Climate scientists, activists, and global leaders have been working hard to tackle the issue of climate change. They want to ensure the Earth’s temperature does not rise above 1.5 degrees Celsius. Various initiatives have been taken to achieve this goal, such as reducing emissions, investing in renewable energy sources, and increasing funding for research into climate solutions. [iii]

However, a trajectory report indicates that “humanity is on track to exceed 3C of global warming by 2030”. This could lead to catastrophic effects such as extreme weather conditions like heat waves, droughts, floods, storms, rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and melting polar ice caps. [iii]

This could also cause millions of species to go extinct. In addition, the destruction of their habitats may lead to the inability to adapt to the changing environment. The video below details why 1.5C is the critical temperature that must be maintained to prevent the worst of these effects.

The five previous mass extinctions on Earth include the

• The Ordovician-Silurian Mass Extinction eliminated up to 85% of all living species during the Ordovician period of the Paleozoic Era roughly 440 million years ago due to continental drift.
• The Late Devonian Mass Extinction occurred nearly 375 million years ago during the Paleozoic Era. It eliminated almost 80% of all living species. Several suspected reasons for this mass extinction include volcanic eruptions and meteor strikes.
• The Permian-Triassic Mass Extinction, also known as the great dying, eliminated roughly 96% of all living species during the Triassic period of the Paleozoic Era around 250 million years ago due to unknown causes.

• This event is known as the Triassic-Jurassic Mass Extinction. This extinction occurred roughly 200 million years ago during the Earth’s Mesozoic Era. Significant volcanic activity was the cause of this event.
• The Cretaceous-Paleogene, AKA K-T Mass Extinction, occurred during the Cretaceous period of the Mesozoic Era 65 million years ago. A powerful asteroid impact (likely to have formed the Chicxulub crater) or a meteor impact caused it.
• This extinction event eliminated about 75% of all living things. This is also the period that wiped dinosaurs from the face of the Earth. [iv]

References

[i] Antony Ashkenaz, End of the world warning as humanity on the brink of ‘mass extinction’- new timeline, (Aug. 12, 2022)

[ii] Id.

[iii] Id.

[iv] Scott Dutfield, The 5 mass extinction events that shaped the history of Earth – and the 6th that’s happening now, (May 17, 2021)