Scientists have projected a devastating future for Earth, forecasting a mass extinction event in approximately 250 million years that would wipe out all mammalian life. The prediction stems from rising global temperatures and carbon dioxide levels, which could make the planet too hot for mammals to survive.
The study warns that the emergence of a future supercontinent, named Pangea Ultima, will lead to intensified volcanic eruptions. These eruptions are expected to pump enormous amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, further worsening the heat. Researchers also cautioned that if fossil fuel emissions persist, this catastrophic timeline could be accelerated significantly.
A recent analysis led by experts from the University of Bristol employed cutting-edge computer models to simulate future climate scenarios. Their findings suggest that even with an immediate stop to fossil fuel use, extreme temperatures ranging between 40 and 70 degrees Celsius would still make survival nearly impossible.
According to the Daily Mail UK, “carbon dioxide levels are expected to double, making it impossible for species, including humans, to regulate body heat through sweat.” The lead researcher, Dr. Alexander Farnsworth, and his team foresee a bleak future in which Earth’s environment will be largely unsuitable for human and animal life.
A New Supercontinent: Pangea Ultima
Scientists predict that over time, the continents will slowly merge into a massive land formation known as Pangea Ultima. This landmass would resemble a giant doughnut with a large inland sea at its center. As tectonic activity increases, it will likely result in more frequent and powerful volcanic eruptions.
These eruptions, combined with the natural brightening of the sun over time, will raise global temperatures to unbearable levels for most lifeforms. According to experts, only a fraction—around 8 to 16 percent—of Earth’s surface might remain habitable under these extreme conditions.
Climate Simulations Paint a Grim Picture
Using sophisticated atmospheric models, the research team forecasted carbon dioxide levels surpassing 600 parts per million (ppm), even under the assumption that fossil fuel emissions stop immediately. If such emissions continue unchecked, climate change could worsen much faster than currently projected.
Professor Benjamin Mills of the University of Leeds, one of the study’s co-authors, emphasized the gravity of the situation. He warned that “unchecked human activity could lead to earlier extinction events, reinforcing the urgency for climate action.”
What This Means for Human Survival
Although the study did not attempt to pinpoint when humanity might become extinct, it paints a troubling scenario for future generations. If Pangea Ultima forms closer to the equator, most of its land would experience relentless tropical heat—far beyond what mammals can endure.
As Earth moves steadily toward these transformative changes, researchers stress that immediate steps must be taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and avoid pushing the planet past the point of no return.
“Carbon dioxide levels are expected to double in the coming years,” one section of the report highlighted, further underscoring the critical need for climate resilience and action today.
