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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Seth Borenstein

Scientists say don't forget about plants. Climate change is endangering tens of thousands of species

Climate Plant Extinctions - (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Global warming extinctions usually have people picturing the last polar bears or other furry critters disappearing, but the crucial and oft-overlooked world of plants is going to be decimated by climate change. Scientists predict tens of thousands of plant species will disappear by the end of the century.

Between warmer temperatures and shifts in rain and snow patterns, between 7% and 16% of the world's plant species are likely to lose at least 90% of their habitat and go essentially extinct in about 55 to 75 years, according to a study in Thursday's journal Science.

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