While the eventual fate of our planet, being absorbed by the Sun in approximately 7.5 billion years, is widely known, the question remains: How long will humanity survive before facing inevitable extinction?
Beyond the potential for man-made disasters like nuclear war, the looming threat of climate change presents a significant long-term danger to our world as we know it.
A recent study tackled this question, utilising a supercomputer to analyze various data points related to Earth’s climate, tectonic activity, ocean chemistry, and biology to determine when human survival on our home planet might become untenable.
Researchers from the University of Bristol painted a stark picture of a drastically altered world. They projected that due to tectonic shifts, continents would converge to form a new supercontinent dubbed Pangea Ultima.
Dr. Alexander Farnsworth, part of the research team, explained, “The newly-emerged supercontinent would effectively create a triple whammy, comprising the continentality effect, hotter sun, and more CO2 in the atmosphere, resulting in increasing heat for much of the planet.” He continued, “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.”
Under such conditions, humans and many other species would struggle to survive due to their inability to cope with extreme heat and humidity.
When this supercontinent forms, only a small fraction of the land, approximately eight to 16 percent, would remain habitable for mammals. Adapting to the drastic climate shifts would prove exceedingly challenging for humans.
Moreover, increased volcanic activity and a brighter sun would exacerbate the challenges faced by life on Earth.
Fortunately, this doomsday scenario is not expected to unfold for another 250 million years. However, the researchers emphasize that the study serves as a warning sign for humanity to address the urgent issue of climate change.
Dr. Eunice Lo, a co-author of the study, stressed the importance of taking immediate action to combat climate change, stating, “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.”
