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A serious underestimation by scientists of ocean heat absorption over the past 25 years may explain the increase in intensity of hurricanes, as well as, the accelerated retreat of glaciers and ice sheets, while posing a significant threat to marine life.
A new climate change study has found that scientists around the world have seriously underestimated the amount of heat that oceans are soaking up out of the atmosphere, revealing that Earth is more sensitive to fossil fuel emissions than previously believed.
As oceans absorb more heat, not only does it raise ocean temperatures, but it accelerates the process of the melting of ice sheets and retreat of glaciers, both of which create a rise in sea levels.
Warm water also has a detrimental impact on coral reefs, as well as, contributes to the intensity of tropical storms and hurricanes.
According to the new study, the seas around the world have absorbed 60 percent more heat during the past 25 years than previously believed.
Prior to the new study, the last major assessment by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), said that the world’s oceans had taken up over 90% of the excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases.
But the new study found that, during the past 25 years, we have put nearly 150 times the amount of energy that is used to generate electricity globally – into the seas. That’s about 60 percent more heat absorbed by oceans than previous estimates.
Simplifying that, far more heat has been going into the oceans from the greenhouse gases, and thus – finding 60 percent more heat from the same amount of gas, means the Earth has become more sensitive to CO2.
Warmer water will hold less oxygen and that can be devastating for marine ecosystems. In addition, warmer seas means further receding of ice sheets and glaciers, which will cause sea levels to rise.
The ocean can dissipate its stored heat, but only if humans can cool the atmosphere by reducing the global emissions contributing to the greenhouse gas effect.
According to the results found in the new report, humans will need to reduce emissions by greater than 25% above previously estimated amounts to stop heat increase and begin reversing the effect.
