Climate Change Puts Nearly Half of All Species at Risk of Local Extinction

Species Extinction Driven by Climate Shifts

According to НВ — Техно: Scientists analyzing data from 5,100 plant and animal species have found that 45% have disappeared from the hottest parts of their natural ranges. This finding is directly tied to rising temperatures: over the past 25 years, tropical areas have warmed by 1.8°C, while temperate zones have seen an increase of 3.3°C. Notably, more than 70% of the studied species are not migrating to cooler regions, signaling growing threats to their survival.

The Current State of Species Loss

Among insects, land vertebrates, and marine species, local extinction rates have exceeded 50%. These results challenge a 2016 study by the same researchers, which recorded more extinctions specifically in the tropics.

“The world has changed since 2016,” said study co-author John Wiens.

He added that

“we used to focus on the planet’s hottest regions. But it turns out that for many temperate species, there is truly no safe haven.”

Gopal Murali, another author of the study, emphasized that 'people often think climate change will affect species in the future. But we are already seeing these effects-in both tropical and temperate species.' This discovery underscores the urgent need for action to preserve biodiversity amid global climate change. Climate shifts continue to impact ecosystems worldwide, and the study’s results serve as a stark reminder that the consequences are already unfolding.

This analysis highlights the severity of the crisis facing biodiversity due to global climate change. Species extinction in both tropical and temperate zones indicates that climate change is not only threatening specific regions but is also disrupting the balance of all ecosystems. This demands immediate action from governments and organizations to prevent further biodiversity loss and safeguard natural resources for future generations.

The urgency to address biodiversity loss is further emphasized by recent findings that highlight a new early-warning indicator for species extinction. As climate change accelerates, understanding these signals becomes crucial for conservation efforts aimed at mitigating the impacts on vulnerable species across various ecosystems.