Rise of ocean temperatures: Oceans have a fever here’s why

Source: The post rise of ocean temperatures has been created, based on the article “Oceans have a fever here’s why” published in “Indian express” on 19th March 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper-3-Disaster management

News: This article discusses how the ocean’s surface temperature is rising to record levels, mainly due to human activities like burning fossil fuels. Rise of ocean temperatures

What is the Current State of Ocean Temperatures?

In February 2024, the global sea surface temperature was 21.06°C, the highest since 1979.

It surpassed the previous record of 20.98°C set in August 2023. Since March 2023, temperatures have been exceptionally high.

What are the factors contributing to the rise of ocean temperatures?

Human Activities: Since the 19th century, burning fossil fuels has released large amounts of greenhouse gases, significantly contributing to global warming.

Greenhouse Gas Absorption: About 90% of the extra heat trapped by greenhouse gases is absorbed by the oceans, steadily increasing their temperatures.

El Niño: This weather pattern, causing abnormal warming of waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, contributes to both ocean and global temperature rises.

Reduced Sahara Dust: Less dust blowing off the Sahara Desert means less shading over the Atlantic, leading to increased sunlight absorption and higher ocean temperatures.

What are the concerns related to the rise of ocean temperature?

Impact on Marine Ecosystems: Warmer oceans lead to increased stratification, disrupting the mixing of water layers. This affects marine life, especially the population of phytoplankton, crucial for marine food webs.

Coral bleaching: These have doubled in frequency between 1982 and 2016, causing intense coral bleaching, which harms coral reproduction and increases vulnerability to diseases.

Changes in Marine Behavior: Warming oceans alter the migration patterns of aquatic animals.

Intensification of Storms: Warmer oceans contribute to more frequent and severe storms. They increase evaporation rates and heat transfer, leading to stronger winds, heavier rainfall, and more flooding when storms reach land.

Historical Data Point: Record sea surface temperature of 21.06°C in February 2024, illustrating the ongoing warming trend.

Way forward

To mitigate the impacts of rising sea surface temperatures, urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is vital. The oceans have absorbed 90% of excess heat, exacerbating marine ecosystem damage and intensifying storms. Reducing emissions can slow these trends, as emphasized by the World Meteorological Organisation’s reports.

Question for practice:

Examine the primary factors contributing to the rise in ocean temperatures and the associated concerns related to it.