UN report warns of climate-related mass extinctions, including the disappearance of penguins and pol

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

polar bears

Hundreds of species have been wiped out by extreme heat or warming oceans, but few global animal extinctions have been directly linked to climate change.

In 2009, a combination of sea-level rise and storm surge in the Great Barrier Reef led to the disappearance of the Bramble Cay mosaic-tailed rat. Seven years later, the species became the first mammal to go extinct due to human-induced climate change.

The world can expect many more climate-related extinctions in coming decades if global temperatures continue to rise. That's according to a report released Monday by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a UN body that summarizes years of research on the climate crisis.

If global temperatures reach 4 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels — a scenario that assumes very high levels of greenhouse gas emissions — half of our plant and animal species could be threatened, according to the report. At that level of warming, the world could see mass mortalities and extinctions that permanently alter rainforests, kelp forests, and tropical coral reefs.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/un-report-warns-of-climate-related-mass-extinctions-including-the-disappearance-of-penguins-and-polar-bears/ar-AAUvYkW

[LT Barclay]

1. Our only hope now is that the billionaires wake up and realize this WILL affect them also

[Irish_Dem]

4. They think they are immune. Buying property they think will be safe.

And hoping Elon Musk builds them luxury space stations.

[CrispyQ]

2. "If global temperatures reach 4 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels..."

And why wouldn't it? We're doing squat to change course. LED lightbulbs & electric cars aren't going to save us. We can't even work together to fight a global pandemic.

Under 2 degrees of warming, up 18% of land species could be at high risk of extinction. That risk rises to up to 29% under 3 degrees of warming, up to 39% at 4 degrees, and up to 48% at 5 degrees.

Future generations are not going to look kindly as we squander the last chances to change course. If we haven't already.

[NNadir]

3. Yes but...

...Fukushima.