Climate change is becoming too hot, too wet, or too dry for many animals (and humans). A new study reveals that at least 3,500 species are endangered due to global warming. However, the exact scale of the risks remains unclear.
"We are at the beginning of an existential crisis for Earth's wildlife," says lead researcher William Ripple from Oregon State University. "Until now, overexploitation and habitat changes were the primary causes of biodiversity loss, but as climate change intensifies, we expect it to become the third major threat to animals worldwide."
The study analyzed 70,814 species from 35 existing classes, finding that at least a quarter of species in six different groups are threatened by climate change. Ocean invertebrates are particularly vulnerable due to their limited mobility.
Mass mortality events, triggered by extreme weather like heatwaves and droughts, could disrupt ecosystems and carbon cycles. Examples include the decline of mollusks along Israel's coastline and coral bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef.
Researchers emphasize the need for a global database tracking climate-related mass die-offs and accelerated species assessments to inform policy decisions.