This past year marked a staggering increase in ocean temperatures, an event beyond previous records.
Experts are investigating various causes, including climate patterns like El Niño and reduced pollution from shipping, but no single factor has been pinpointed.
The warmth has persisted, affecting nearly the entire surface of the oceans and potentially indicating a significant shift in Earth's systems.
Key quote:
“The time scale of the oceans is not as fast as the atmosphere. Once a change is established, I would say it’s almost irreversible in time scales that go from centennial to millennial.”
— Celeste Saulo, secretary general of the World Meteorological Organization
Why this matters:
The continued record warmth of our oceans is not just an environmental anomaly; it's a profound change that could alter weather patterns, impact marine life, and influence human health globally.
New research suggests the decline was a fundamental change unlikely to be reversed this century — perhaps proof the planet has passed an alarming climactic tipping point.
The planet’s air temperature has been rising for decades but it wobbles up and down, write Chris Mooney and Brady Dennis. The ocean doesn’t do the same dance, it changes more slowly – and more deeply
