First-ever supercomputer simulation predicts when humans will become extinct on Earth
If things keep going the way they're going, Earth is going to be a brutal place to live.
A supercomputer has made a prediction on when humans will go extinct based on climate models currently available.
There are loads of fears about how climate change is affecting the planet as well as the species that occupy it.
Scientists have issued warnings about a global temperature increase of 1.5C degrees and how it could wreak havoc on everyone.
However, we all want to know at what point would we all be wiped out.
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Well, researchers have tried to answer that very question and they've brought in the big guns to get their answer.
Thankfully, we don't have to hold our collective breath as it's not expected to come around any time soon.
The team from the University of Bristol fed a supercomputer currently available data related to the Earth's climate as well as tectonic plate movement, ocean chemistry and biology.
It found that the world would look vastly different to how it is now.
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.”
Only 8-16 per cent of the land would be habitable for mammals when this supercontinent forms and humans would seriously struggle to adapt to the new climate extremes.
Volcanos would erupt more regularly and we'd also be battling a brighter sun that would be dishing out some serious rays our way.
But you need not fear as this doomsday scenario isn't forecast to happen for another 250 million years.
The people behind the research believe this should still act as a warning sign for humans to address 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.”
Topics: Climate Change, Technology
Stewart Perrie