ocean warming
Humpbacks face new challenges as the oceans heat up
Humpback whales have made a comeback in the North Pacific, but climate change now threatens their breeding and feeding grounds, potentially disrupting decades of recovery.
In short:
- Humpback whale populations have rebounded in the Salish Sea thanks to conservation efforts, but climate change could undermine this recovery.
- Rising ocean temperatures threaten humpbacks' breeding areas, with predictions that up to 67% of their breeding grounds may become unsuitable by the end of the century.
- Changes in krill populations and shifting migration patterns could further complicate humpbacks' survival.
Key quote:
“I was mortified seeing breeding ground after breeding ground turning red in our simulation.”
— Hannah von Hammerstein, University of Hawaii
Why this matters:
Humpback whales are a keystone species in marine ecosystems, and their survival is closely tied to ocean health. Climate-driven changes to their habitats could have cascading effects on the entire food web, impacting biodiversity and human livelihoods alike. If we don’t address the root causes of climate change, we might witness one of the ocean's most celebrated conservation successes unravel in real time. Read more: Surprise! Unexpected ocean heat waves are becoming the norm.
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Barrier Reef experiences unprecedented ocean warming
The Great Barrier Reef experienced its hottest ocean temperatures in 400 years over the past decade, threatening its survival.
In short:
- Between 2016 and 2024, the Great Barrier Reef experienced mass coral bleaching due to record-high ocean temperatures, endangering its future.
- Researchers used coral skeleton samples to study sea surface temperature changes since 1618 and linked recent warming to human-caused climate change.
- Even if global warming is kept below the 1.5°C threshold of the Paris Agreement, 70% to 90% of global corals could be at risk, leading to reduced diversity.
Key quote:
“The reef is in danger and if we don’t divert from our current course, our generation will likely witness the demise of one of those great natural wonders.”
— Benjamin Henley, lecturer of sustainable urban management at the University of Melbourne
Why this matters:
The Great Barrier Reef is vital for biodiversity, seafood production and tourism. Its decline signals broader environmental impacts of climate change that threaten marine ecosystems worldwide.
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Hurricanes are becoming less predictable and more dangerous
Fueled by rising ocean temperatures, hurricanes are intensifying faster, lasting longer, and becoming less predictable, posing new challenges for communities worldwide.
In short:
- Climate change is extending hurricane seasons and increasing their intensity, with warmer oceans providing more energy for storms.
- Hurricanes are slowing down, leading to prolonged rainfall and increased damage in affected areas.
- Shifting hurricane tracks are bringing extreme storms to regions unaccustomed to such events.
Key quote:
"Because we can't suddenly turn off climate change and have everything go back to the way it was. There's an inertia to the system that we can't really get past. And so adaptation is going to be a big part of it."
— James Kossin, climate and atmospheric scientist, NOAA, retired
Why this matters:
Hurricanes are no longer playing by the rules. As climate change cranks up the Earth's thermostat, these once somewhat predictable storms are turning into wild cards, packing unpredictable punches that leave communities scrambling to pick up the pieces. Read more: Robbie Parks on why hurricanes are getting deadlier.
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Newsletter
How an early hurricane may signal a rough storm season
Hurricane Beryl's explosive growth and record-setting intensity foretell a potentially catastrophic storm season fueled by unusually warm waters in the Atlantic and Caribbean.
In short:
- Hurricane Beryl has set multiple records, including the earliest Category 4 storm and unprecedented rapid intensification.
- The storm’s strength is driven by abnormally warm sea temperatures, which are currently at levels typical of peak hurricane season.
- Experts warn that this trend indicates a season with more frequent and intense hurricanes, similar to the deadly 2005 season that spawned Hurricane Katrina.
Key quote:
“Beryl is unprecedentedly strange... It is so far outside the climatology that you look at it and you say, ‘How did this happen in June?’”
— Jeff Masters, meteorologist and Weather Underground co-founder
Why this matters:
With sea temperatures far above normal, the risk of severe hurricanes is heightened, posing serious threats to coastal communities and indicative of the broader impacts of climate change on weather patterns. Read more: Robbie Parks on why hurricanes are getting deadlier.
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Newsletter
Scientists warn of major ice sheet loss due to small temperature rise
A minor increase in ocean temperature could drastically accelerate ice sheet melting and raise sea levels much more than current models predict.
In short:
- Warm seawater intruding under coastal ice sheets melts them, creating cavities that further enhance melting and ice loss.
- Computer models show that even a small rise in water temperature could trigger significant ice sheet collapse.
- This process may be responsible for underestimating past sea level rises and poses severe future risks.
Key quote:
“With every tenth of a degree of ocean warming, we get closer and closer to passing this tipping point.”
— Dr. Alexander Bradley, British Antarctic Survey
Why this matters:
The urgency of addressing climate change becomes more apparent with each new study. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, investing in renewable energy, and enhancing coastal resilience are steps that must be accelerated to prevent the most severe outcomes of a warming planet.
Related EHN coverage:
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Pollution from China's smog cleanup leads to unexpected ocean warming
Recent research reveals that China's air pollution cleanups have inadvertently contributed to extreme heat waves in the Pacific Ocean.
In short:
- The reduction of smog particles in China, while beneficial for public health, has contributed to extreme ocean warming events known as "The Blob."
- Aerosol emissions, which shield the planet from solar radiation, are declining globally, leading to unexpected climate impacts, including more intense regional heatwaves.
- The cleanup of air pollution in China has altered atmospheric patterns, intensifying warming in the Pacific and potentially leading to larger climatic disruptions.
Key quote:
“Without the cooling effect of the aerosols, the world would already have reached the 1.5- degree temperature threshold of ‘dangerous’ climate change as set out by the Paris agreement.”
— Johannes Quaas, meteorologist at the University of Leipzig and former IPCC lead author
Why this matters:
This finding highlights a complex trade-off in environmental policy: while cleaning up air pollution improves health outcomes, it can also accelerate global warming and exacerbate extreme weather events. Read more: A new monitor could revolutionize the way air pollution is regulated.
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Newsletter
North Atlantic's record heat waves may fuel an intense hurricane season
A marine heat wave in the North Atlantic has set daily temperature records for over a year, raising concerns about its potential to drive an unusually severe hurricane season.
Chelsea Harvey reports for E&E News.
In short:
- The North Atlantic has experienced unprecedented marine heat waves, breaking daily temperature records for over a year.
- Rising ocean temperatures are linked to increasing the strength and frequency of hurricanes, posing significant risks.
- This warming trend could signal a potential shift in global climate patterns, alarming scientists worldwide.
Key quote:
“It could imply that a warming planet is already fundamentally altering how the climate system operates, much sooner than scientists had anticipated.”
— Gavin Schmidt, head of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies
Why this matters:
The sustained oceanic warmth acts as a potent catalyst for hurricanes, enhancing both their frequency and ferocity. This situation poses not only a threat to coastal areas but could also herald broader environmental shifts with significant implications for weather patterns globally.
In addition, increased ocean warmth disrupts the delicate balance of marine ecosystems, leading to coral bleaching, the migration of fish populations away from their traditional habitats, and adverse effects on breeding patterns and food chains. Such changes not only harm the organisms that inhabit these waters but also the fishing communities and industries that depend on them.
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