First-ever supercomputer simulation predicts when humans will become extinct on Earth
Topics: Science, Technology, Climate Change
Dylan Murray
Featured Image Credit: Kirill Rudenko/Getty Images/Andrew Merry/Getty Images
Topics: Science, Technology, Climate Change
While many people know about the most probable fate of our Earth - absorption by the Sun in around 7.5 billion years - it begs the question, how long will the human race survive before our inevitable extinction?
Beyond the man-made means of Armageddon, such as nuclear war, climate change continues to be one of the biggest threats to the world as we know it in a long-term capacity.
However, while its effects continue to be seen in the modern day, some may wonder how long it will take for climate change to completely and utterly eradicate humanity.
Advert
With this question in mind, a study saw a supercomputer analyze various pieces of data relating to the Earth’s climate, tectonic plates, ocean chemistry and biology to find out when the human race is likely to become wholly incapable of inhabiting our home planet.
Luckily, it’s quite a way away from the present day.
The team from the University of Bristol 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 eight to 16 percent 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.”