Oceans absorbed heat equivalent to seven Hiroshima atomic bombs detonating every second in 2021.
In a recent study published in the Advances in Atmospheric Sciences journal, a team of 23 scientists from across the globe revealed that the Earth set a new heat record in 2021. The study analyzed thousands of ocean temperature measurements taken from depths of at least 2,000 meters (about 6,500 feet) worldwide. The results show that the planet is warming at an alarming rate, with human activity responsible for this trend. The data also indicates that this warming will persist indefinitely unless significant action is taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The oceans are absorbing the vast majority of the heat linked to global warming, with over 90% of this heat being absorbed by them. As the oceans warm, it has wide-ranging effects on global weather patterns and ecosystems. Warmer waters make storms more intense, leading to stronger cyclones and hurricanes, more severe rainfall and flooding, and increased storm surges. Additionally, the expansion of water as it heats is a major contributor to rising sea levels, which poses a growing threat to coastal regions and ecosystems.
The study emphasizes that ocean warming is a key indicator of how fast climate change is occurring, and it highlights the urgent need for global action to mitigate its effects on the planet.
