Centuries-old Caribbean sponges—nature’s underwater record-keepers—are rewriting the climate change story. A new study in Nature Climate Change suggests global warming may have already surged past 1.5°C, hitting 1.7°C by 2020. These sponges, analyzed for growth patterns tied to temperature and CO2 levels, hint that human-driven heating began earlier than we thought. 💥
🌡️ Climate Alarms Ring Louder
Recent extreme weather events, like floods and heatwaves, might make more sense if Earth is warmer than previously calculated. Study co-author Amos Winter says this aligns with theories of accelerating climate change, like those from ex-NASA scientist James Hansen. Cornell’s Natalie Mahowald adds: \"This isn’t good news—it means more warming impacts.\" 🔥
🧪 What’s Next for Our Planet?
While the findings challenge current climate targets, they also spotlight the urgency for action. As young changemakers, staying informed is key to shaping a sustainable future. 🌍✨
