The surface temperature of the world's oceans in 2023 was "exorbitant." The main reason was another year of record carbon dioxide emissions, which was facilitated by El Nino (a natural phenomenon that causes warming of the surface waters of the Pacific Ocean and as a result has a significant impact on the climate of the entire planet), ecosphere.press reported.
While for the whole year the average ocean surface temperature was 0.1 degrees higher than in 2022, in the second half of 2023 it was already higher by an "astonishing" 0.3 degrees.
Data from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences indicate that in 2023, the oceans absorbed an additional 15 zettajoules of heat compared to the previous year, and the total volume was 287 zettajoules.
Scientists warn that the increase in abnormal temperatures and oxygen loss in the oceans have serious consequences for marine life and ecosystems, so urgent action is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and switch to sustainable energy sources.
Alex Shishlo for Rough&Polished
