Ocean temperatures continue to set daily records

Record-breaking ocean temperatures are prompting scientists to explore underlying causes and potential impacts.

Delger Erdenesanaa reports for The New York Times.

In short:

• Scientists observe ocean temperatures setting new highs consistently, surpassing previous records.
• Factors like climate change, El Niño, and reduced aerosol pollution from ships contribute to these temperature increases.
• Researchers aim to refine climate models and predictions by understanding these unusual temperature patterns.

Key quote:

“March 2024 continues the sequence of climate records toppling for both air temperature and ocean surface temperatures.”

— Samantha Burgess, deputy director of Copernicus

Why this matters:

As oceans absorb more heat from the atmosphere, they release larger amounts of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, into the air. This creates a dangerous feedback loop, where warmer temperatures lead to increased greenhouse gas emissions, further warming the planet and oceans.