Global warming caused extinction

Extreme global warming left ocean animals unable to breathe, causing the biggest mass extinction in the Earth’s history, research has shown. The extinction event 252 million years ago wiped out 96% of all marine species and 70% of land-dwelling vertebrates.

Scientists have linked what has become known as the Great Dying with a series of massive volcanic eruptions filling the atmosphere with greenhouse gas.

The new study, reported in the journal Science, suggests that as temperatures soared, the water could not hold enough oxygen for most marine creatures to survive.

The scientists warned that if greenhouse gas emissions continue, ocean warming could reach 20% of the level experienced in the late Permian by 2100 and between 35% and 50% of the Great Dying extreme by the year 2300.