That doesn’t sound good
A supercomputer has predicted when humans will become extinct.
Though climate change is always in the news and becoming a priority for governments to tackle, its long term impacts could be devastating not just on the environment but on our species as well.
With this in mind, a supercomputer has analysed various pieces of data relating to the Earth’s climate, tectonic plates, ocean chemistry and biology to find out when the human race is likely to become incapable of inhabiting the planet.
The research was carried out by the University of Bristol who discovered how the world would look vastly different to how it is now, but luckily for us, it’s a long way in the future.
Due to the tectonic plates, continents would move all over the place and create a new supercontinent called Pangea Ultima.
Dr Alexander Farnsworth said: “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.”
It is estimated that only eight to 16 per cent of the land would be habitable for mammals and human would struggle to adapt to the new climate extremes.
The changes to our planet would not only result in a rise in temperature but would cause volcanos to erupt more regularly.
However, according to the supercomputer, this doomsday scenario is not expected to occur for another 250 million years.
However, one of the scientists behind the study believes it should act as a warning for humans to address the effects of climate change.
Study co-author Dr Eunice Lo said: “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.”
