26 April 2023 – A new study has shown that the world’s oceans have reached a record high, which leaves scientists worried this will increase global warming.
Scientists are worried about a recent, rapid heating of the world’s oceans. The water has reached a record high temperature, which has never been seen. The speed at which the oceans have warmed is also new.
While scientists can’t fully explain why this is happening, they are concerned that it will make global warming worse.
The concern is that the combination of warmer oceans and other weather events could lead to the global temperature reaching dangerous levels. And the prediction is that this could happen as soon as by the end of next year.
El Niño Could Push Us Close To 1.5°C
According to the new study, the earth generated 50% more heat in the past 15 years. Most of this extra heat went into the world’s oceans, raising the water temperature.
The data shows that the surface water temperature has risen by 0.9°C in comparison to pre-industrial levels. Most of this increase, 0.6°C, happened in the past 40 years. The air temperature has increased by more than 1.5°C since pre-industrial times.
Our seas warmed at a slower rate than our air, because more energy is needed to heat water than land. Our oceans also absorb heat in their depths.
But scientists now worry that El Niño could push the water temperatures close to or even above 1.5°C, which would add to global warming.
Already, the overall temperature of our oceans has reached a record high in April. Some regions have seen huge rises. For example, in March, the North American east coast surface temperatures were 13.8°C higher than the average temperatures recorded between 1981 and 2011.
In the last three years, El Niña kept the ocean’s temperatures cooler. But we are about to enter an El Niño phase, which will heat up the world’s oceans. Especially, because meteorologists expect a strong El Niño.
This could have a huge impact on global water and air temperatures, increasing global warming.
If a new El Niño comes on top of it, we will probably have additional global warming of 0.2-0.25C. The impact on the temperature is relaxed a few months after the peak of any El Niño so this is why 2024 will be probably the warmest on record. And we may, we will be close to 1.5C days and perhaps we will temporarily go over.
Dr Josef Ludescher, Reseracher at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Research
However, research has shown that our world is not warming at an even pace. There are sudden jumps in temperatures, which are linked to the occurrence of El Niño.
This could indicate that the temperatures might fall again after El Niño has passed.
Reduced Pollution As One Explanation
As to the reasons for this rapid warming of the world’s oceans, the scientists are not sure why it is happening.
It’s not yet well established, why such a rapid change, and such a huge change is happening. We have doubled the heat in the climate system the last 15 years, I don’t want to say this is climate change, or natural variability or a mixture of both, we don’t know yet. But we do see this change.
Karina Von Schuckmann, Oceanographer at Mercator Ocean International and Lead Author of new study
While scientists don’t know exactly why it’s happening, there is one theory. Paradoxically, a reduction in pollution from shipping could be part of the problem.
In an effort to reduce pollution from shipping, the International Maritime Organisation has introduced regulations in 2020. These aimed at lowering the amount of sulphur in fuel for ships.
When the oil is burned to power the ships, aerosol particles are released into the air. The new regulations have reduced the amount of the particles that get into our atmosphere.
But because these aerosol particles reflect heat back into space, it is thought that reducing their number has helped more heat to enter the water and warm our oceans.
Why Is The Heating Of The World’s Oceans A Problem?
Warming oceans can have a huge impact on our environment. Apart from contributing to climate change, warmer seas can also kill marine life. Coarl reefs are especially under threat from warming waters.
But hotter seas can also cause more extreme weather on land. Hurricans and cyclones get more energy the warmer the water is. This means they will be able to last longer and become more intense.
Because warm water needs more space than cold liquid, sea levels will rise. This can cause glaciers to melt faster, as well as increase the risks of flooding in coastal areas worldwide.
Water with a higher temperature is also less able to absorb CO2. Given that our oceans mop up around 25% of greenhouse gas emissions, this could accelerate global warming.
This new study shows that we have to act now if we want to halt global warming and save our planet.
