Climate experts have long considered the Paris Climate Accords’ goal of keeping global temperatures below 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels a crucial benchmark for limiting catastrophic climate change. However, a recent study suggests that this target may have been exceeded years ago.
Researchers from the University of Western Australia’s Oceans Institute analyzed six Caribbean sea sponges to create an ocean temperature timeline dating back to the 1700s. Their findings indicate that global temperatures might have surpassed the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold in 2020, four years earlier than previously thought.
The study’s lead author, Malcolm McCulloch, warns that time is running out to meet the climate goals. If true, this would mean that humanity has been above the critical temperature level for at least a year, indicating the need for immediate action to curb emissions and mitigate climate change.
While some scientists are skeptical of the study’s conclusions due to limited data from a specific region, others acknowledge the urgent need to address the crisis. Regardless of the accuracy of the sponges’ findings, one thing is certain: climate change requires collective action to prevent catastrophic consequences for future generations.
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Source: https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/environment/a69644938/climate-change-sea-sponge-timeline