A group of 14 scientists from 11 different institutes say it: the oceans have never been as hot as in 2019. The researchers came to this conclusion in a study, published in the journal Advances in Atmospheric Sciences , after having surveys up to 2,000 m deep.
According to the study, the oceans began to warm in 1955, but the phenomenon accelerated from 1987. In 2019, the water temperature was about 0.075 ° C above the 1981-2010 average. For researchers, climate change is the cause. And for good reason, the oceans absorb more than 90% of the excess heat from human activities, says LCI.
"Fortunately, we can act"
The phenomenon is as worrisome for marine life as it is for humans. The rise in ocean temperatures is causing sea levels to rise, notably due to the melting of the ice. As a result, climatic disasters (hurricanes, typhoons) are more dangerous, with greater flooding.
At the same time, by absorbing greenhouse gases, the oceans become more acidic, which seriously harms molluscs and corals. Finally, this warming deprives the ocean depths of oxygen, with consequences for marine life. "Fortunately, there is something we can do: we could use energy more wisely and diversify our sources of energy," said John Abraham, co-author of the study. We have the power to reduce this problem. "
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- Environment
- Planet
- Temperature
- Global warming
- Ocean