A recent Guardian article highlights the alarming rate of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions caused by human activity, potentially leading to devastating consequences for ecosystems worldwide. MIT mathematician Daniel Rothman explains that rapid increases in CO2 levels have triggered mass extinctions in the past, such as the catastrophic Siberian Traps eruptions 252 million years ago.
The Earth’s natural carbon cycle is an intricate system maintaining a delicate balance between the atmosphere, oceans, land, and biosphere. However, when CO2 levels are rapidly introduced into this system, it can overwhelm Earth’s natural regulatory mechanisms. Rothman notes that most major mass extinctions have been triggered by disruptions to this carbon cycle.
The current rate of CO2 emissions is about ten times faster than the slow, cataclysmic eruptions of the Siberian Traps. If human activities continue at their current pace, we could be on the brink of causing the sixth major mass extinction within a matter of centuries. The rapid buildup of CO2 has already begun to disrupt the climate and ecosystems.
Rothman draws parallels with the end-Permian mass extinction event, which is considered the worst in Earth’s history, wiping out 96% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial species. This extinction was caused by an immense volcanic eruption in what is now Siberia, known as the Siberian Traps.
To avoid catastrophic climate change, humanity must drastically reduce CO2 emissions and shift towards sustainable practices that protect the planet’s natural carbon sinks. This includes transitioning to renewable energy sources, reducing deforestation, and implementing large-scale carbon capture initiatives. However, the window of opportunity is narrowing, and collective action is necessary to reverse the trajectory toward mass extinction.
Source: https://indiandefencereview.com/sixth-mass-extinction-co2-end-life-earth