You read that right: extreme marine heatwaves are three times more frequent today than they were in the 1940s, according to a bombshell study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 🔥 The science just dropped a major truth bomb: global warming is turbocharging our oceans‘ temperatures, with dire consequences for marine life – and us.
Here’s the breakdown: Back in the ’40s, oceans endured about 15 days of extreme heat yearly. Fast-forward to today, and that number has skyrocketed to 50 days annually. 🚨 Researchers from institutions like the University of Reading blame climate change for nearly half of these scorching episodes.
"Marine heatwaves are like underwater wildfires," said study co-author Xiangbo Feng. "They wipe out coral reefs, kelp forests, and seagrass meadows – ecosystems millions depend on."
But wait, it gets worse: These heatwaves don’t just hurt sea creatures. They’re also supercharging tropical storms 🌪️ by destabilizing the atmosphere. Think of it as the planet’s broken thermostat wreaking havoc everywhere.
Bottom line? The oceans are sounding the alarm – and it’s time to listen. 🌍
