Recent findings reveal some shocking news about the first mass extinction that happened on Earth. The Great Extinction took place 250 million years ago and it is dated approximately at the Permian Period’s end.
Australia provided important study material these days, when fossilized crinoids were found in the Western part of this country. According to scientists, these marine invertebrates that dwelled on our planet during the Permian Period died because of the global warming.
This was possible because the waters were deprived of oxygen due to excessive heating. The dry and hot weather affected the other species as well, so we can say that, based on scientists’ estimations, the phenomenon led to the extinction of 96% of all life forms from the Earth.
The same catastrophic process is happening in present days as well
We know that our planet went through hard times throughout its history. Over 252 million years ago, it almost died. The first mass extinction was the worst so far and it happened in a very short time.
Last Thursday, a team of researchers declared that the new findings can offer a wider view on what causes the catastrophic processes from Earth. Global warming deprives the oceans of oxygen. In this case, many species die because of this lack and the stress caused by it.
Unfortunately, we haven’t learned any lesson from history. Climate changes happening today have the same results. Curtis Deutsch, an earth scientist working at the University of Washington says that we are experiencing the global warming with a strange relaxation. People and authorities don’t seem to care that a mass extinction could happen any time with the same dramatic effect.
The scientists’ findings were published in the Science journal. They are hoping to make our society more aware and responsible, because the environment is not ours to destroy. We have to pass it on to future generations.
Laura grew up in a small town in northern Quebec. She studied chemistry in college, graduated, and married her husband one month later. They were then blessed with two baby boys within the first four years of marriage. Having babies gave their family a desire to return to the old paths – to nourish their family with traditional, homegrown foods; rid their home of toxic chemicals and petroleum products; and give their boys a chance to know a simple, sustainable way of life. They are currently building a homestead from scratch on two little acres in central Texas. There’s a lot to be done to become somewhat self-sufficient, but they are debt-free and get to spend their days living this simple, good life together with their five young children. Laura is an advocate for people with disabilities.