Increasing Heat Waves Killing Off Animals at a Rapid Clip

Earlier in the week, a study was released demonstrating how extreme heat waves can accelerate the aging process in humans. A different study shows how times of extreme heat can also trigger mass animal fatalities, ushering some species toward the brink of extinction. Read on for the worrisome details.

Animal Kingdom Threatened by Heat Waves

There is no doubt in the scientific community that the increase in heat waves across the planet has been driven by climate change. The more frequent times of extreme heat are taking a toll on the animal kingdom.

A series of studies has demonstrated how global warming has contributed to a mass die-off of some animal species as reproduction cycles become disrupted. Scientists are warning that almost 400 bird species are in danger at the hands of climate change. This number includes two-thirds of birds living in North America.

Marine life has also suffered the impacts of the rising temperatures around the globe. There are roughly 1,500 marine species listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Of that figure, over 40% are threatened in large part due to the warming ocean waters. In addition to marine life and mammals, reptiles and insects are also being threatened as the planet warms incrementally.