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By definition, there's a deadline for preventing something from happening. We're already in an extinction cycle, extinctions are happening at a rate of 100 to 1000 times the natural rate.

And as for absolutes, total extinction of large mammals comes to mind as a consequence after which humanity can't really do anything.




I think the possible outcomes of climate change (especially if we continue on our current trend) are unthinkably catastrophic, at worst including the potential deaths of a significant percentage of humanity. But there's still an enormous gap between that and "total extinction of large mammals". I don't think that's anywhere near a realistic consequence of climate change.


There is no conceivable future in which white-tailed deer become extinct in the next few centuries. We will probably lose some of the less resilient species, though.




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