The world’s oceans were the hottest ever recorded in 2022. The rising temperature of the ocean demonstrates the changes greenhouse gas emissions have made to the planet’s climate.
More than 90% of the excess heat trapped by greenhouse gas emissions is absorbed in the oceans. The records, starting in 1958, show a rise in ocean temperature, with an acceleration in warming after 1990. Sea surface temperatures are a major influence on the world’s weather.
Hotter oceans help supercharge extreme weather, leading to more intense hurricanes and typhoons. It can also lead to more moisture in the air, which brings more intense rains and flooding. Finally, warmer water also expands, pushing up sea levels and endangering coastal cities.
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