The wide range of numbers on future possible extinctions is because of the many decisions about climate change that must still be made that could affect the outcome, such as will carbon reductions mitigate temperature rises?
Evolution is an amazing thing and perhaps one day people will look back on these studies to demonstrate just how astonishing it can be.
Climate change, habitat loss, collisions with cars and domestic dog attacks have all resulted in koalas being pushed into smaller and smaller regions of the country.
While those working in cities often can (and should) turn to organised reliable public transport, almost everyone I know living in rural areas relies heavily on their car for the commute, the school run and getting out to visit friends.
Scientific models also show that it is ‘very likely’ (a term defined by the IPCC as a 90%-100% probability) that the “length, frequency and/or intensity of warm spells or heat waves will increase over most land areas”
Through analysis of these events it is becoming apparent that spring is arriving earlier and autumn later. This could pose a problem for many animals that rely on the punctuality of significant events.
Climate change has already had an influence on marine populations, but is it possible these same populations are in turn altering the climate?