‘50% of species facing wipeout’

HALF of all plant and animal species in some of the world’s most treasured landscapes could be wiped out by climate change, scientists have claimed.

Researchers assessed the impact of rising temperatures in 35 priority areas. The study, published in Climatic Change, warned that unchecked greenhouse emissions could hit species such as elephants, pandas and polar bears. Lead researcher Professor Rachel Warren said: ‘Fifty per cent of species could be lost from these areas without climate policy.’