Imagine a world where 90 % of life disappears. About 252 million years ago, this disaster really occurred. This massive extinction, called “Permien – Trias”, was caused by brutal warming probably triggered by intense volcanic activity.
Today, researchers reveal that tropical forests played a decisive role. And above all, they warn: Such a scenario could be repeatedif we do not better protect these vital ecosystems.
The collapse of tropical forests has amplified warming and blocked climate regulation
To understand how the climate was able to get carried away so violently, scientists have analyzed tropical plant fossils. Thanks to these natural archives, they were able to retrace the evolution of the Forest productivity During this critical period.
Their conclusions are striking: at that time, the tropical forests have literally disappeared. However, these forests are natural carbon signs. They absorb the CO₂ and store it in their biomass. But when the vegetation collapses, this climate filter disappears. Carbon dioxide remains in the atmosphere … and Warming is getting carried away.
Consequently, the climate froze in a overheating. And it lasted not a few centuries, but Several million years. All this because of an initial ecological collapse poorly offset.
The point of climate non-return can be crossed, even if human shows cease
Through this reconstruction of the past, researchers highlight a phenomenon that we fear today: the tilting points climatic. In other words, there are thresholds beyond which the climate becomes uncontrollable.
In the case of Permien – Triassic, the disappearance of tropical forests was this no return point. Once past, even the complete stop of the programs would not have been enough to restore climate balance. The terrestrial system was already too deeply disturbed.
Scientists fear that our current tropical forestsweakened by deforestation, water stress and fires, may undergo the same spell. And if it happened, the warming could continueeven if we reached carbon neutrality. It would place us on a trajectory of self -regulatingescaping any quick correction.
Why the current climatic conditions dangerously recall those of permien-trias
This is all the more alarming since The conditions of our current summer recall certain warning signs of permien – trias. THE Extreme heat wavesTHE Massive forest fires and the Fall of biodiversity form a worrying cocktail.
If our forests came to collapse under the combined weight of warming and human activity, then, Co₂ would no longer be absorbed. The climate would then continue to warm up for itself. And this Even if we stop any show.
In other words, It is not only our ability to reduce greenhouse gases that count. We must also preserve the natural regulation mechanismslike forests, living soils and wetlands. Because without them, the climate can very well get carried away without possible return.
A warning from the past: protecting forests is to avoid a future out of control
Finally, this discovery is not only a scientific advance. It is also a Clear message for our modern societies. She reminds us that the tropical forests are much more than refuges for biodiversity. These are also essential global climate regulators.
If they fall, these are not only trees we lose. It is a part of our climate stability. Stability already undermined, and which it becomes urgent to strengthen.
Understanding what happened 252 million years ago is also give us the means not to repeat history. And as researchers say, The future is still in our hands … But for how long?