Dan Kwartler: What would happen if every human suddenly disappeared? 

What would happen if every human suddenly disappeared? 

Human beings are everywhere. With settlements on every continent, we can be found in the most isolated corners of Earth's jungles, oceans and tundras. Our impact is so profound, most scientists believe humanity has left a permanent mark on Earth's geological record. So what would happen if suddenly, every human on Earth disappeared? Dan Kwartler investigates. [TED-Ed Animation by Globizco Studios].

If humanity suddenly vanished, our cities would quickly unravel as fires erupt, tunnels flood, and darkness falls across the globe. Within decades, plants and animals would reclaim the built environment, with skyscrapers collapsing and invasive species taking root. In the long run, biodiversity would flourish, pollution would fade, and even after millions of years, traces like Mt. Rushmore and buried technofossils would endure before nature erases them. Exploring this scenario reveals just how deeply human presence shapes—and scars—the planet.

Nature Reclaims Cities As Humanity’s Absence Reshapes The Earth

TED-Ed

science

nature

climate change

natural resources

natural disaster

geology

animals

animation

humanity

resources

evolution

ocean

TED-Ed Original