When Mammals Face Extinction 250 Million Years in the Future

Human activity is currently releasing large quantities of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, pushing Earth's climate toward levels of warmth not seen for millions of years and producing long-lasting effects on ecosystems. However, given present-day emission levels, even though certain regions may eventually become unsuitable for life because of severe greenhouse warming, most parts of the planet would still remain habitable.

Over much longer timescales, the Sun itself will gradually age and expand. In several billion years it will become a red giant and ultimately engulf Earth. Astronomers use the term habitable zone to describe the range of orbital distances around a star where temperatures on a planet allow liquid water and life to exist. As the Sun grows brighter and larger, this habitable zone slowly moves outward, meaning Earth will gradually drift toward the inner edge and eventually leave it. Traditionally, scientists have assumed that life on Earth would disappear only after the planet exits this habitable zone. Yet new research suggests that the survival of mammals may be threatened far earlier.

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