Humans could wipe out 75 per cent of all species: expert

Posted 25 minutes ago

An artist's conception of an asteroid crashing into Earth
Photo: A previous mass extinction has been caused by a meteor collision. (NASA: Reuters)
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Map:  Hobart 7000


Humans could wipe out themselves and three-quarters of the earth's species in the next 2,000 years, in event known as a mass extinction, a Hobart scientist says.

A mass extinction is when the earth loses more than three-quarters of its species in a geologically short time frame.

In the past they have been caused by meteor collisions, climate fluctuations and volcanic eruptions.

However, Professor Mike Coffin from the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies at the University of Tasmania has told a conference in Hobart that humans could be the cause of the next mass extinction.

"We're on a trajectory to reach the 75 per cent level some
;D ;D

2000 years is a very safe prediction. i would of thought we are on a faster time schedule.

Well lets hope it wipes out a few blowies flies and mozzies.
Not to mention some eyesores around town.