I've just asked Julie Gray, a biologist at the University of Sheffield, which species she thinks would be the last ones standing if we don't take transformative(变革性的) action on climate change. "I don't think it will be humans. I think we'll go quite early on, " says Gray. Humans probably won't be among the survivors, partly because humans produce young extremely slowly and generally just one or two at a time.
It may seem like just a thought experiment. But discussing which species are able to survive climate change is disturbingly concrete. As a report stated recently, one in four species currently faces extinction, which is closely linked to climate change. While the seriousness of climate change is undeniable, we can make some educated guesses about which species will have a better shot at going far.
According to Jen Lau, a biologist at University Bloomington, heat tolerant and drought resistant plants, like those found in deserts, are more likely to survive. So are plants whose seeds can be spread over long distances, for example by wind or ocean currents. Plants that can adjust their flowering times may also be better able to deal with higher temperatures.
We can also look to history as a guide. Cockroaches(蟑螂) adapted to an increasingly dry Australia tens of millions of years ago, by starting to dig holes in soil to hide. Cockroaches also tend to not be picky eaters. Having broad diets means that climate change will be less of a threat to them.
Furthermore, species called "mobile generalists" by experts can move and adapt to different environments and are more likely to last long in face of climate change. For example, deer in the US are common in suburban areas and manage to live where forests have been removed or are regularly disturbed.
Certainly, some animals would also survive if they could find a buffer: an area that is relatively protected from climate change's consequences, such as deep sea canyons(峡谷), underground caves.
