Oceans Warming Four Times Faster Than in the 1980s, Study Finds

Accelerated ocean heating is linked to Earth's growing energy imbalance, driven by greenhouse gases and reduced reflectivity.

A new study reveals that global ocean warming has quadrupled since the late 1980s, with temperatures now rising at 0.27°C per decade.
The findings attribute the accelerated warming to Earth's energy imbalance, caused by increased greenhouse gas emissions and reduced reflectivity due to melting ice and fewer low-altitude clouds.
The study highlights that 2023 and 2024 broke ocean temperature records, with 450 consecutive days of unprecedented warmth, partly influenced by El Niño patterns.
Warmer oceans exacerbate climate impacts, including intensified hurricanes, widespread coral bleaching, and disruptions to fisheries and marine ecosystems.
Researchers warn that ocean warming could accelerate further in the next 20 years, underscoring the urgency of reducing fossil fuel emissions.