Ocean-bound wildlife is particularly vulnerable to environmental pressures, especially endemic species living on only one or a handful of islands. Scientists, however, had not systematically looked at the added threat posed of rising seas and megastorms brought on by global warming. One would result in global warming of about 4 degrees Celsius (7.2 degrees Fahrenheit) by century’s end, and the other roughly 3 degrees Celsius (5.4 degrees Fahrenheit). “These species are only found in this region, and so deserve extra attention since a loss of any of these species will mean global extinction,” the authors warned. The 196-nation Paris Agreement has set a goal of holding global warming to “well below” 2 degrees Celsius, a goal that many scientists say may be out of reach.

Source: Mint July 14, 2017 05:03 UTC