Ocean warming rate nearly doubled since 2005: report

Sub: Geo

Sec: Oceanography

Context:

A recent report by the European Union’s Copernicus Monitor says that the rate at which oceans are warming has almost doubled since 2005 due to human-caused climate change.

Findings of the report:

Ocean warming has increased continuously since the 1960s but sharply accelerated after 2005.
In the last two decades, the rate of warming has nearly doubled, increasing from a long-term average of 58 watts per m² to 1.05 watts per m².
In 2023, more than 20 percent of the world’s oceans experienced at least one severe to extreme marine heatwave.
These findings align with an IPCC report which said that since 1970, around 90% of excess heat trapped in the atmosphere due to the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases has been absorbed in the oceans.

Consequences of warmer oceans:

The report highlighted the impacts of a warming planet on the oceans, which cover 70% of the Earth’s surface and play a crucial role in regulating the climate.
Warmer oceans intensify storms and other extreme weather events, and alter rainfall patterns.
Marine heatwaves have ripple effects for marine life and fisheries.
Unprecedented sea ice loss and deep ocean heat storage.

About European Union’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service:

Copernicus is the Earth observation component of the European Union’s Space programme.
It provides comprehensive data on ocean conditions and climate monitoring.
Focus Areas: Ocean temperature monitoring, tracking marine heatwaves, observing sea ice loss and analysing ocean heat storage.

About IPCC:

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is an intergovernmental body of the United Nations.
It was set up by World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme in 1988.
It aims to advance scientific knowledge about climate change caused by human activities.
The IPCC does not conduct its own research, rather compiles scientific data from research conducted by other institutions into its Assessment reports.
Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), which was recently released, highlighted the urgency of climate action.