In 2023, ocean temperatures once again “shattered” previous records, and the warming trend is expected to persist throughout this century, even if greenhouse gas emissions stabilize.
This assessment was made in an annual study published on January 11 in the journal Advances in Atmospheric Sciences.
The ocean absorbs more than 90% of the excess heat from global warming.
The study was conducted by a multinational team of scientists from 17 research institutes across China, the United States, New Zealand, Italy, and France. They found that for five consecutive years, ocean temperatures have set new records, with 2023 being the hottest year recorded to date.
Mr. Cheng Lijing, the lead author of the study and a researcher at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, stated that the warming of the oceans is a crucial indicator for assessing climate change, as the ocean absorbs over 90% of the excess heat from global warming.
According to him, compared to 2022, the top 2,000 meters of ocean water absorbed a significantly larger amount of heat, enough to boil 2.3 billion standard Olympic-sized swimming pools. This factor contributed to the increase in sea surface temperatures. Specifically, compared to 2022, the global average sea surface temperature in 2023 rose by 0.23 degrees Celsius.
Furthermore, the study indicates that warming oceans will lead to a decrease in oxygen levels in seawater and the ability to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2), resulting in severe consequences for marine life. Moreover, this phenomenon is likely to increase the prevalence of extreme weather events.
The increase in temperature and humidity infiltrating the atmosphere is causing storms to intensify, leading to heavier rainfall, stronger winds, and more severe flooding.
Scientists note that the warming of the oceans is an irreversible phenomenon and will continue throughout this century, even if greenhouse gas emissions may not rise.
Mr. Cheng Lijing emphasized that this presents new challenges for climate governance, which requires not only reductions in emissions and increased use of renewable energy sources but also a greater focus on adapting to climate change.
This researcher also urged countries to enhance their climate monitoring capabilities and improve early warning and forecasting systems to prevent disasters.
