Climate change is already causing local extinctions. The biggest surprise is where.

Scientists long assumed tropical species would be hit hardest by climate change. But a new global study found that animals and plants in temperate regions, including North America and Europe, are already disappearing from parts of their range at alarming rates. We explore how wildlife and plants are responding to warming temperatures, why local extinctions are rising around the world, why many species aren’t moving into cooler habitats, and what the findings mean for biodiversity and conservation. The episode also features Dr. John J. Wiens, a professor at the University of Arizona, and Dr. Gopal Murali, a former postdoctoral researcher at the University of Arizona.Key points: 1:07 - Digging through the data to track survival of animals and plants over time.2:34 - Nearly half of species in temperate zones have disappeared from parts of their range.3:40 - The world has gotten hotter.4:45 - Most temperate species are not moving north in response to climate change.5:47 - What it means for conservation.Useful resources:Murali, G., Karger, D.N. & Wiens, J.J. Temperate local extinctions from climate change are outpacing tropical extinctions. Nat. Clim. Chang. (2026).Kristen E. Saban, John J. Wiens; Unpacking the extinction crisis: rates, patterns and causes of recent extinctions in plants and animals. Proc Biol Sci. (2025)World Meteorological Organization: 2025 State of Climate Report.Berkeley Earth: Global Temperature Report for 2025.New York Times, 5/26/2026, by Brad Plumer and Eric Niiler: Why scientists retired the dire climate scenario used for over a decade.NOAA's Science on a Sphere program: Climate Model: Temperature Change (RCP 8.5) - 2006 - 2100.European Commission: Five things you should know about climate scenarios. Get full access to Nature Signals at ruththornton.substack.com/subscribe