New study warns of the risk of ‘mass extinction’ under the sea due to rising temperatures

Rising temperatures could wipe out a series of marine species, scientists warn – Photo: REUTERS

Accordingly, by 2300, life in the oceans will face a risk of mass extinction similar to the worst mass extinction on Earth about 250 million years ago, if humanity does not limit emissions. greenhouse gas.

In a study published in the journal Science (Science) on April 28, authors Justin Penn and Curtis Deutsch at the University of Washington and Princeton University (USA) used physiological models to evaluate the physical limits of species with sub-temperatures below sea ​​and the extent of oxygen depletion to be expected – a particularly difficult task given the lack of previous research in this area.

The results of the study have revealed an alarming situation: if sea-level warming continues as it is today, marine ecosystems across the planet could experience a mass extinction equivalent to the Great Depression. the late Permian extinction, also known as the “Great Extinction”.

This catastrophic event saw nearly all life on Earth wiped out, around 97% of marine life dying in this mass extinction because of warming temperatures and oxygen depletion. Similar situations are happening with the Earth today.

A coral reef in Bali, Indonesia – Photo: REUTERS

The study notes that while tropical oceans will lose the most species, many species from these regions will migrate to higher latitudes to survive. On the other hand, polar species will disappear en masse as habitat forms will disappear from the planet altogether.

The study authors emphasized that controlling the temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius under the Paris Agreement on climate change would reduce the “severity of extinction” by 70%, thereby avoiding the risk of occurring. mass extinction.

Scientists note that because oceanic extinctions don’t progress as quickly as on land, humans have time to turn the tide in favor of ocean life. The Earth’s best or worst future scenario will depend on the choices society makes, not only about climate change but also about habitat destruction, overfishing. overcrowding and coastal pollution.

A dead whale on Ocean Beach, San Francisco, USA – Photo: AP

Under the Paris Agreement on climate change, more than 190 countries have pledged to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius and work towards a more ambitious target of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial revolution. However, most countries have not made significant progress in this regard.

Experts emphasized that countries need to quickly reduce greenhouse gas emissions to avoid increasing the Earth’s temperature, leading to dangerous extreme weather phenomena.

Earlier, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) also warned that the time to limit the Earth’s temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius is running out.

Is the ‘Great Extinction’ cyclical?

TTO – Researchers have discovered an incredible coincidence between past ‘mass extinctions’, according to which they appear to follow a cycle of 27.5 million years, according to SciTechDaily.