00:00Have you noticed how hurricanes seem to be getting more intense?
00:03This year alone, we've already had storms like Helene, Milton, and now, Nandine might be on her way.
00:09But what's behind this surge in powerful hurricanes?
00:13Well, it all comes down to climate change.
00:16Warmer oceans, fueled by greenhouse gases, are creating the perfect conditions for hurricanes to form and intensify.
00:23Take Hurricane Milton, for example. It became a Category 5 storm faster than any in history.
00:30And as it plowed into Florida, its 120 mph winds and tornadoes left a trail of destruction.
00:38Scientists say these storms aren't necessarily more frequent, but they're definitely stronger.
00:44Why? Because every degree of ocean warming allows hurricanes to absorb more moisture, leading to heavier rainfall and stronger winds.
00:53Until we reduce CO2 emissions, we're going to keep seeing hurricanes like Milton ramp up in intensity.
00:59Experts even warn we might need to create a new hurricane category, Category 6, to account for this increased power.
01:07The question isn't if climate change made Milton worse. It's how much. And the answer? A lot.
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