BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Scientists have stated that it has become the new norm for the world's ocean temperatures to consistently break warming records, according to a study published on Friday.

The research, featured in the journal Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, reveals that both sea surface and deeper water temperatures have reached record highs in 2024 since human instrumental observations began in the 19th century.

The annual study was conducted by a multinational team of scientists from seven countries, including China, the United States, Italy and France.

Lead researcher Cheng Lijing, from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics (IAP) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has spearheaded this global ocean temperature study for many years. According to him, oceans, covering 70 percent of the planet's surface, are a vital component of Earth's climate as they absorb approximately 90 percent of the excess heat generated by global warming.

"Oceans dictate weather patterns by transferring heat and moisture into the atmosphere, and they also control the pace of climate change," Cheng said, noting that to understand what has happened or what will happen to the planet, the answers lie in the oceans.

The new study revealed that between 2023 and 2024, the increase in ocean heat content in the upper 2,000 meters of the ocean is equivalent to 140 times the total electricity generated worldwide in 2023.

Ocean surface temperatures are also setting records. Surface temperature refers to the temperature of the very top layer of the ocean, where the water meets the atmosphere. These temperatures are crucial because they determine the rate at which heat and moisture (humidity) are transferred from the ocean to the atmosphere, thereby influencing weather patterns, Cheng explained.

According to data from the IAP, the global average sea surface temperature in 2024 rose by 0.07 degrees Celsius compared to 2023, setting a new record since the beginning of modern observational data.

The monitoring data from the United States and European research institutes involved in the study also reflect this consistent upward trend.

The study noted that changes were not uniform, with significant regional variations. The Atlantic is warming along with the Mediterranean Sea and across the mid-latitude Southern Ocean. While parts of the Northern Pacific Ocean have warmed rapidly, other areas, particularly the tropical region, have warmed more slowly. This is primarily due to the influence of La Nina/El Nino weather phenomena in the area.

A warmer ocean affects marine life and causes significant damage in various ways. According to scientists, one way the ocean continues to influence the climate is by increasing water vapor in the atmosphere, which, in turn, intensifies extremes in the hydrological cycle.

"Water vapor is also a powerful greenhouse gas and increased heating leads to drying and risk of drought and wildfire. It can fuel storms and increase flood risks, including those from hurricanes and typhoons," said Dr. Kevin Trenberth, a member of the research team and a scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in the United States.

In accordance with ocean temperature data, the year 2024 has been confirmed as the warmest year on record globally since observations commenced in 1850.

The EU-funded Copernicus Climate Change Service said on Friday that the global mean temperature for 2024 reached 15.1 degrees Celsius, marking a 0.12-degree Celsius increase from 2023, which was previously the warmest year documented.

Scientists warn that if action is not taken to slow climate change, disruptions, unprecedented changes, and their associated implications, costs and damages will continue to escalate. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)