Record-breaking ocean temperatures are prompting scientists to explore underlying causes and potential impacts.
Delger Erdenesanaa reports for The New York Times.
In short:
- Scientists observe ocean temperatures setting new highs consistently, surpassing previous records.
- Factors like climate change, El Niño, and reduced aerosol pollution from ships contribute to these temperature increases.
- Researchers aim to refine climate models and predictions by understanding these unusual temperature patterns.
Key quote:
“March 2024 continues the sequence of climate records toppling for both air temperature and ocean surface temperatures.”
— Samantha Burgess, deputy director of Copernicus
Why this matters:
As oceans absorb more heat from the atmosphere, they release larger amounts of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, into the air. This creates a dangerous feedback loop, where warmer temperatures lead to increased greenhouse gas emissions, further warming the planet and oceans.
