If every person on Earth were to die today, the planet itself would not "destroy" itself, but rather undergo significant changes as ecosystems reset, human systems cease to function, and nature reclaims urban areas. Below is a speculative timeline outlining what could happen over various timeframes, focusing on ecological and environmental changes within the first year:
Week 1
- Immediate Aftermath: Without human life, cities and towns are left abandoned. Basic infrastructures such as power plants, water systems, and communication networks begin to fail.
- Power Failure: The electricity grid starts to fail as power stations shut down due to lack of human operation and maintenance.
- Water Supply Issues: Water treatment plants also stop functioning, leading to potential contamination of local water supplies.
Weeks 2-4
- Energy and Utilities Failure: Within a few weeks, most power plants will shut down. Some areas may have backup generators, but they will eventually run out of fuel.
- Wildlife and Flora Recovery: Wildlife begins to thrive in urban areas as roads become less traveled, and animals enter previously inhabited spaces.
- Vegetation Growth: Without human activity, vegetation will start to reclaim paved areas and buildings, leading to a noticeable increase in plant life.
Month 2
- Infrastructure Deterioration: Buildings and structures begin to show signs of wear and tear from neglect. Water systems may fail completely, leading to flooding in some areas due to blocked drains.
- Wildlife Expansion: As animals adapt to their new environment, species that may have previously been endangered in human-dominated regions could see population increases.
Months 3-6
- Collapse of Man-Made Structures: Buildings might begin to crumble due to lack of maintenance, especially in areas affected by extreme weather.
- Infrastructure Failures: Roads, bridges, and transportation networks may begin to deteriorate. In many places, collapsed infrastructure could restrict animal movement.
- Reforestation and Ecosystem Recovery: Some areas might see significant reforestation as plants take root in urban settings. Ecosystems begin to restore themselves, with increased biodiversity.
Month 7-12
- More Severe Infrastructure Collapse: By this point, most buildings in cities may be significantly degraded or fully collapsed. The effects of weather and time on materials will be apparent, accelerating disintegration.
- Ecosystem Maturation: Over the year, areas once dominated by human activity begin to display signs of complex plant and wildlife ecosystems.
- Increased Carbon Sequestration: With the decline in industry and human activity, CO2 levels could begin to stabilize, and ecosystems would engage in carbon sequestration.
After One Year
- Industrial Ruins: Major cities may be reduced to ruins, with the streets overgrown by plants and animals reclaiming the land.
- Primitive Ecosystems: Nature would start to form new ecosystems in the absence of humans, with various species establishing themselves in several areas where they had previously been absent or low in numbers.
- Long-Term Changes: Over the longer term, without human impact, habitats would continue to evolve, leading to potential new species adaptations or even biodiversity shifts.
Overall, while Earth would not "destroy" itself in a dramatic sense, the cessation of human civilization would lead to a profound transformation of the planet's ecosystems, with nature reclaiming its place and slowly restoring balance.