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.

www.nytimes.com

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