The Audio Long Read ‘A climate of unparalleled malevolence’: are we on our way to the sixth major mass extinction?
Sep 29, 2025
Explore the chilling parallels between historical mass extinctions and today's rapid carbon emissions. Discover how massive volcanic eruptions once shaped Earth's ecosystems and led to catastrophic biodiversity loss. Learn about the alarming rate of carbon release from human activities, which may outpace ancient volcanic events. The discussion delves into the potential consequences of climate change, including ecosystem collapse and toxic ocean conditions. Can we avoid repeating the mistakes of the past, or are we facing another Great Dying?
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Rate, Not Just Volume, Triggers Collapse
- Daniel Rothman studies past carbon-cycle collapses to identify thresholds that trigger mass extinctions.
- He concludes the rate of CO2 input, not just total amount, can push Earth into runaway failure.
Industrial Carbon Release Is Historically Unique
- Humans currently match one of Earth's few mechanisms for massive carbon release: burning fossil fuels.
- Industrial capitalism is unique in history for extracting crustal carbon so rapidly.
Human Impact Could Become A 'Big Five' Event
- Major mass extinctions are rare but catastrophic events that far exceed familiar disasters.
- If current extinctions continue, we could reach a sixth major extinction within centuries to millennia.