Heating of oceans breaking records! Ocean surfaces have experienced unprecedented heat over the past 12 months. As a result, global temperatures are starting to break daily records since March of last year. This is the picture according to research by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and from University of Mainereleased today by CNN.
Average global ocean temperatures in 2023 were 0.25 degrees Celsius warmer than the previous year, as reported by Gregory C. Johnson, an oceanographer at NOAA. “This increase is equivalent to around two decades of warming in a single year. So it’s quite significant and a bit surprising,” he told CNN.
Scientists point out that ocean heat is being exacerbated by human-caused global warming, driven by El Niño, a natural climate pattern marked by warmer-than-normal ocean temperatures. The main consequences of this are for marine life and the global climate.
Warming of the oceans at catastrophic levels
High ocean temperatures are already proving catastrophic for coral reefs. For example, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is experiencing its seventh mass bleaching event, which occurs when heat-stressed corals release the algae that live in their tissues and provide their food source.
Additionally, if ocean temperatures remain very high in the second half of 2024 and a La Niña event occurs, which tends to amplify Atlantic hurricanes, this will also increase the risk of a very active hurricane season, according to Joel Hirschi, head of the Center UK National Oceanography.
Source: Atrevida
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
