"The Total Amount of Life on Earth Throughout History"
A recent study published in Current Biology estimates that 100 quintillion tons of carbon has been produced through primary production since the origin of life on Earth, with land plants likely contributing the most. The study also estimates that between 10^39 and 10^40 cells have ever existed on Earth, and projects that about 10^40 cells will occupy the Earth over its entire habitable lifetime. The research provides insight into Earth's geologic history and its potential as a benchmark for comparing other planets, while also raising questions about the impact of different evolutionary trajectories on the amount of life that could have existed on Earth.