If humans went extinct, what would the Earth look like one year later?

Yahoo! News - Apr 20th, 2025
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The article explores a hypothetical scenario where humanity suddenly disappears, leaving the Earth to evolve without human intervention. Carlton Basmajian, an associate professor of urban design, delves into the immediate and long-term impacts on the environment and infrastructure. Initially, the world would become eerily silent, with nature reclaiming urban spaces. The air would clear, and animals would roam freely, while human-built structures would gradually succumb to natural forces, illustrating the profound impact humans have on the planet.

This thought experiment highlights the delicate balance between human civilization and the natural world, emphasizing the need for continuous care and maintenance of our environment. The scenario serves as a reminder of the resilience of nature and the transient nature of human achievements. It underscores the importance of sustainable practices to ensure the longevity of both our built environments and natural ecosystems. By contemplating a world without humans, the article invites readers to reflect on humanity's role in shaping the planet's future.

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RATING

7.6
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article offers an engaging and imaginative exploration of a world without humans, effectively capturing the reader's interest while providing a thought-provoking look at environmental and ecological changes. Its strengths lie in its clarity, engagement, and speculative yet scientifically grounded premise. However, it could benefit from a broader range of perspectives and more direct citations to enhance accuracy and source quality. While not tied to immediate current events, the article remains relevant in the context of ongoing environmental discussions, encouraging readers to reflect on human impact and the importance of ecological stewardship.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The article presents a speculative scenario about the world after human extinction, which is largely consistent with scientific consensus on environmental and ecological changes. Claims about noise reduction, clearer skies, and the natural reclamation of urban areas are supported by observable phenomena in places like Chernobyl and abandoned areas. The discussion on infrastructure deterioration aligns with known facts about material degradation over time. However, the article does not address potential nuclear or industrial accidents, which could significantly impact the environment, leaving a gap in the factual completeness.

7
Balance

The article primarily focuses on the environmental and ecological aspects of a human-less world, providing a detailed look at how nature might reclaim urban spaces. While it offers a balanced view within this scope, it omits other perspectives, such as potential socio-economic impacts or technological remnants that might persist. The narrative is somewhat one-sided, focusing on natural processes without exploring human-induced long-term effects, like pollution or nuclear waste, which could provide a more comprehensive view.

9
Clarity

The article is well-structured and written in a clear, engaging style suitable for its intended audience, including children. It uses simple language and vivid imagery to explain complex concepts, making the speculative scenario accessible and easy to understand. The logical flow from one idea to the next helps maintain reader engagement, although the hypothetical nature of the content means some readers might find the lack of hard data less satisfying.

6
Source quality

The article is authored by an academic, Carlton Basmajian, which lends credibility to the analysis. However, it lacks direct citations to external sources or studies that could bolster the claims made. While it mentions Basmajian's expertise in urban design, the absence of diverse sources or expert opinions from other relevant fields, such as ecology or environmental science, limits the depth of the source quality.

8
Transparency

The article clearly states the author's background and the nature of the publication, The Conversation, which enhances transparency. It openly discusses the speculative nature of the content, acknowledging the hypothetical scenario it explores. However, the lack of direct references to specific studies or data that support its claims somewhat reduces the transparency regarding the basis of the assertions made.

Sources

  1. https://www.space.com/what-would-the-earth-look-like-one-year-after-humans-go-extinct
  2. https://www.livescience.com/earth-without-people.html
  3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvIvTPrsruY
  4. https://www.popsci.com/science/earth-without-humans/
  5. https://disruptr.deakin.edu.au/environment/8579/