New Research Predicts Devastating Climate Changes Will Make Earth Uninhabitable for Mammals
A groundbreaking study published in Nature Geoscience paints a stark picture of Earth’s distant future, where the formation of a new supercontinent could trigger conditions that would make the planet uninhabitable for humans and most mammals.
The triple threat to life on Earth
Dr. Alexander Farnsworth, Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol, leads research identifying three critical factors that could spell doom for terrestrial life:
“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,” Dr. Farnsworth explains.
Pangea Ultima: The return of a supercontinent
Scientists predict that Earth’s continents, which are continuously drifting, will eventually merge into a massive landmass dubbed “Pangea Ultima.” This geological transformation would set in motion a cascade of climate changes with devastating consequences.
According to the research, the formation of this supercontinent would create lethal conditions: “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,” notes Dr. Farnsworth.
The science behind the extinction
The study outlines three main factors contributing to this future catastrophe:
- The continentality effect: Reduced ocean cooling as land masses merge
- Solar evolution: A brighter, more energetic sun
- Increased CO₂: Enhanced volcanic activity from tectonic movements
Survival prospects
The research presents a grim outlook for mammalian life, suggesting only 8% to 16% of the land would remain habitable once Pangea Ultima forms. Dr. Farnsworth explains: “Humans — along with many other species — would expire due to their inability to shed this heat through sweat, cooling their bodies.”
Present-day climate crisis context
While this doomsday scenario lies 250 million years in the future, Dr. Eunice Lo, Research Fellow in Climate Change and Health at the University of Bristol, emphasizes the immediate climate crisis: “It is vitally important not to lose sight of our current Climate Crisis, which is a result of human emissions of greenhouse gases… This is why it is crucial to reach net-zero emissions as soon as possible.”
Earth’s history of mass extinctions
The study gains context from Earth’s previous mass extinction events:
Ordovician-Silurian Extinction (443 million years ago)
- Eliminated 85% of sea life
Late Devonian Extinction (360 million years ago)
- Volcanic activity and asteroid impacts destroyed 75% of species
Permian-Triassic Extinction/”The Great Dying” (252 million years ago)
- Siberian volcanic eruptions triggered severe climate change
Triassic-Jurassic Extinction (200 million years ago)
- Eliminated 50% of species, enabling dinosaur dominance
Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction (66 million years ago)
- Asteroid impact created the Chicxulub crater, ending the dinosaur era
The research serves as both a window into Earth’s distant future and a reminder of our planet’s current climate challenges, highlighting the delicate balance of conditions necessary for mammalian life to thrive.