The air temperature is constantly rising. But also of the sea. Still broken records in 2024 should seriously worry us.
To confirm this, what is missing is the publication of single data. But experts already agree on this topic. The year 2024 will be the hottest year ever recorded on Earth. Temperatures hit record highs. And by temperature, know that scientists mean it here.the windthe wind On the surface
But a team of 54 researchers from seven countries has already confirmed it in the journal. Advances in Environmental Sciences That the trend of warming is clear in the oceans of the world. In 2024, the ocean was the warmest on record. Not only on its surface but also at a depth of 2000 meters. Records have been broken.
An astronomical amount of heat absorbed by the ocean
This is no surprise to scientists. Because the ocean absorbs. The heatThe heat Excess deposition in the Earth’s climate system due to BroadcastingBroadcasting of anthropogenic greenhouse gases. It even absorbs about 90%. As a result, from 2023 to 2024, the increase in heat content of the oceans at a depth of 2,000 meters was 16 zetajoules (ZJ) – think 16,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 J. equivalent to 43 times the global production!
Since a figure in the trend, researchers estimate that the heat content of the oceans has regularly increased by 15 to 20 ZJ over the past five years. And this, despite the La Nina and El Niño cycles that should have their effect.
The ocean also covers about three-fourths of the earth’s surface. This is how He spells out His terms for us. Weather reportWeather report By transferring heat and moisture to the atmosphere. Which makes him one of its custodians. vitessevitesse On which Climate changeClimate change.
Surface temperature above all else
However, sea surface temperatures have broken records in 2024 as well. And it is this temperature that really determines the extent to which heat and moisture can be transferred from the ocean to the air and thus affect the weather. And researchers now explain the rise in surface temperatures since the late 1950s. “amazing”.
They also note that there are significant regional variations. Thus the Atlantic and Mediterranean are warming significantly. The tropical region, for its part, still appears to have survived. No doubt the cycle effect The girlThe girl–the childthe child.
Consequences of a warming ocean
And all these increases in ocean temperatures therefore have an impact on our climate. “The ocean affects climate primarily by increasing water vapor in the atmosphere, which leads to harmful increases in the extremes of the hydrological cycle. Water vapor is also a potent greenhouse gas and increases warming. Contributes to desiccation and the risk of drought and wildfires, but water vapor also has power. StormStorm Increases all kinds of and such risks.FloodFlood »says Dr. Kevin Trenberth, senior scientist National Center for Environmental Research (United States).
Already, over the past 12 months, 104 countries have recorded the hottest temperatures on record. drought, The wavesThe wavesAfrica, South Asia, Philippines, Brazil, Europe, America, Chile and more from heat, floods and forest fires Great Barrier ReefGreat Barrier Reefto name just a few examples.
