By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
A new study has claimed that Earth would experience a mass extinction in 250 million years, eradicating all mammals – even if fossil fuel emissions were to cease immediately.
Researchers at the University of Bristol used computer simulations to predict that lifeforms would struggle to survive with extreme temperatures ranging from 40 to 70 degrees Celsius.
According to DailyMail UK, carbon dioxide levels are expected to double, making it impossible for species, including humans, to regulate body heat through sweat.
The study on Earth’s extinction, led by the university’s Dr Alexander Farnsworth, warned of a grim future where the planet would become largely uninhabitable.
“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.”
Speaking with Legit, Abraham Isaac, a medical doctor based in Lagos, explains how climate change is slowly impacting lives negatively at the moment:
“The effect of high temperature and generally climate change put a strain on the healthcare system. At the moment, workers in some industries are also exposed to some peculiar health hazard which may exacerbate in the future. In the future, water may be so scarce in Nigeria as we are already seeing in Niger-Delta and it could lead to water-borne diseases.”
Supercontinent Pangea Ultima to reshape Earth
Scientists predicted that all continents would merge into a supercontinent called Pangea Ultima, forming a doughnut-shaped landmass with an inland sea.
This transformation would trigger frequent volcanic eruptions, releasing substantial amounts of carbon dioxide and further escalating global temperatures.
In addition to tectonic activity, the natural brightening of the sun would contribute to planet Earth’s warming, creating an environment hostile to mammals.
According to researchers at the University of Bristol, only 8 to 16 per cent of land would remain habitable and surviving would be highly challenging.
Climate models indicate accelerated impact on Earth
Using advanced climate models, researchers simulated future atmospheric conditions and estimated CO2 levels could exceed 600 parts per million (ppm).
However, this projection assumes an immediate halt to fossil fuel emissions; continued burning would accelerate climate change and advance this catastrophe.
Co-author Professor Benjamin Mills of the University of Leeds emphasised that unchecked human activity could lead to earlier extinction events, reinforcing the urgency for climate action.
Earth extinction: ongoing debate on human longevity
While experts could not predict precisely how long humans will endure, the study depicted the extreme conditions awaiting future generations.
The placement of Pangea Ultima primarily in the tropics would subject mammal species to higher temperatures than they can tolerate, severely limiting survival chances.
As the planet edges toward its inevitable transformation, science teams emphasised the need for proactive measures to mitigate climate change before irreversible consequences take hold.
Geologist links extinction fears to Earth’s violent past
A Nigerian field and economic geologist, Imodu Cynthia, has linked future mass extinction predictions to past geological events, suggesting a repeat is possible if Earth’s plate movements continue.
“The Earth’s deadliest mass extinction, which saw to light the formation of the Pangaea and extensive volcanism in the Siberian Traps, is believed to have wiped out approximately 90% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial vertebrates about 252 million years ago. This event is known as the Permian-Triassic Extinction Event. So speculations of this happening again could be true,” she told Legit.
Explaining the geological processes involved, she said the merging of landmasses, known as continental merging occurs when two continental plates collide, often displacing nearby oceanic plates.
The geologist outlined three major consequences of such an event: volcanic and tectonic activity, extreme climate shifts, and habitat loss.
Continental collisions, Imodu said, could cause volcanic activity, earthquakes, and atmospheric changes, leading to the formation of mountains, mega-earthquakes, and toxic gas emissions, all of which could threaten life.
“Merging of continents could cause the formation of deserts and changes in temperature, thereby leading to extinction. There could be a displacement of the oceanic crust which would affect marine life. Land habitats may shrink or disappear. This could lead to a decline in the ability of certain animals to thrive in their former habitats. The oxygen levels in the ocean would reduce and the ocean could be poisoned as well,” the expert said.
She also pointed to a present-day instance saying,
“One example of continental merging that is still active but slow is the merging of India with the Eurasian plate which gave rise to the formation of the Himalayas.”