Within days, the power grid fails, subways flood, and mold thrives in buildings. Weeks later, plants overrun structures, and cities blend into the countryside. Farmlands revert to forests, and non-degradable materials like plastics and car tires remain. Nuclear facilities deteriorate, causing some to explode and irradiate the environment, leading to mutations in wildlife. Mosquitoes thrive without humans and adapt by feeding on other animals. Endangered species rebound, with some potentially expanding into new territories. Over time, plastic pollution persists, breaking down into microscopic particles. The Earth starts to recover as carbon dioxide levels drop, temperatures fall, and ecosystems flourish. Despite the planet's resilience, the remnants of human civilization leave an indelible mark.
Vocabulary:
• Failsafe: A mechanism designed to automatically prevent failure.
• Inundates: Floods or covers with water.
• Mould: Fungus that grows in moist conditions.
• Burst: To break open suddenly and violently.
• Corrode: Gradually wear away, usually due to a chemical reaction.
• Irradiating: Exposing to radiation.
• Mutations: Changes in the genetic material of an organism.
• Pollinating: Transferring pollen to allow plants to reproduce.
• Nectar: Sweet liquid produced by flowers.
• Microscopic: So small as to be visible only with a microscope.
Source: LH BBC Ideas