New findings from centuries-old sponges in the Caribbean Sea suggest that human-induced climate change may have started earlier and warmed the planet more than previously estimated.
Researchers have analyzed six ancient deep-sea sponges—simple organisms that filter water—to uncover growth records documenting historical changes in ocean temperature, acidity, and atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. According to a study published in the journal Nature Climate Change, these records indicate that the global average temperature may have already surpassed the internationally agreed-upon limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, potentially reaching 1.7 degrees Celsius as of 2020.
Amos Winter, a paleo-oceanographer at Indiana State University and co-author of the study, explained that these findings could help understand why recent years have seen more extreme weather events—such as floods, storms, droughts, and heatwaves—than expected for the current level of warming. “This is not good news for global climate change as it implies more warming,” commented Natalie Mahowald, a climate scientist at Cornell University who was not involved in the research.
The research supports the theory proposed last year by former NASA scientist James Hansen that climate change is accelerating. If these findings are confirmed, it could mean that the window to mitigate the worst effects of climate change is closing faster than anticipated.
These revelations underscore the urgency for global action to address climate change, emphasizing the need for policymakers, businesses, and communities worldwide—including those in Asia’s rapidly developing economies—to intensify efforts toward sustainability and carbon reduction.
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Can sponges tell whether the planet has warmed more than we thought?
cgtn.com
