Although we are familiar with the immediate effects of climate change, there is a belief that the future could be even more catastrophic.
While the future remains unpredictable, and the scenarios scientists forecast might not unfold, if we somehow avert a complete nuclear conflict and its attendant problems, there are still numerous ways humanity could face extinction.
Climate change may ultimately become the principal factor that eradicates human existence, as its consequences grow more intense over time.
In the face of the potential for nature to entirely eliminate us, a supercomputer evaluated various data concerning Earth’s climate, tectonic activity, and changes in ocean chemistry and biology to predict when human life might no longer be sustainable on our planet.
Researchers at the University of Bristol carried out an investigation into how drastically different the world could be from today, and thankfully, this scenario is quite distant in the future.
As tectonic plates shift, continents would rearrange and form a new supercontinent known as Pangea Ultima.
Dr. Alexander Farnsworth explained: “The newly-emerged supercontinent would effectively create a triple whammy, comprising the continentality effect, hotter sun and more CO2 in the atmosphere, of increasing heat for much of the planet.
“The result is a mostly hostile environment devoid of food and water sources for mammals.
“Widespread temperatures of between 40 to 50 degrees Celsius, and even greater daily extremes, compounded by high levels of humidity would ultimately seal our fate.
“Humans – along with many other species – would expire due to their inability to shed this heat through sweat, cooling their bodies.”
When this supercontinent emerges, only 8 to 16 percent of the land would remain livable for mammals, making it extremely difficult for humans to adapt to the new climate conditions.
Volcanic activity would become more frequent, and we would contend with an intensified sun emitting significant radiation toward the Earth.
However, this apocalyptic scenario is not expected for another 250 million years.
The researchers involved in this study believe this should still serve as a cautionary signal for humanity to address the issue of climate change.
Study co-author Dr. Eunice Lo emphasized: “It is vitally important not to lose sight of our current Climate Crisis, which is a result of human emissions of greenhouse gases.
“While we are predicting an uninhabitable planet in 250 million years, today we are already experiencing extreme heat that is detrimental to human health.
“This is why it is crucial to reach net-zero emissions as soon as possible.”