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illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Forbes or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: A new study links the largest mass extinction 252 million years ago, during the Permian-Triassic period, to climate warming caused by volcanic activity
• This warming created extreme weather events, devastating both marine and terrestrial life, with 96% of marine and 75% of land species wiped out
🔭 The context: The study highlights how volcanic eruptions in Siberia emitted vast amounts of CO2, driving global temperatures to unprecedented levels
• The resulting "Mega-El Niño" events led to chaotic climate conditions that species could not survive or adapt to quickly enough
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The findings draw parallels between ancient climate chaos and today's rising temperatures and extreme weather events, underscoring the potential long-term consequences of unchecked global warming
⏭️ What's next: This research deepens understanding of past mass extinctions and suggests that prolonged climate instability could have profound impacts on modern ecosystems if climate change remains unaddressed
💬 One quote: "It got too hot everywhere... Species were simply not equipped to adapt or evolve quickly enough," said Dr. Alexander Farnsworth, co-lead author
📈 One stat: The Permian-Triassic extinction event wiped out 96% of marine species and 75% of land species
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