Extinctions

There are six mass extinctions caused by climate change from now until 500 million years ago. This page refers to those events of which the sixth is the current mass extinction and the fourth is most striking with the current rapid global warming.

Definition of terms:

Mass extinction

A mass extinction is defined by a loss of at least 75% of species within 2 million years.

Icehouse

Icehouse means that there are polar icecaps. The result is hardly any temperature differences between the poles and equator.

Greenhouse

Green or hothouse means that there are no polar icecaps and the global average temperature is above 18°C.