Why Does Ocean Temperature Matter?

As summer heats up, it is important to remember that the last 10 years were the ocean’s warmest decade since at least the 1800s. 2024 was the ocean’s warmest year on record EVER and 2025 is on pace to break last year’s record.

Why does ocean water temperature matter?

The effects of ocean warming include sea level rise due to thermal expansion, coral bleaching decimating our beautiful reefs, accelerated melting of Earth’s major ice sheets, intensified hurricanes, and changes in ocean health and biochemistry.  So yeah – it matter a lot!

Covering more than 70% of Earth’s surface, our global ocean has a very high heat capacity. It has absorbed 90% of the warming that has occurred in recent decades due to increasing greenhouse gases, and the top few meters of the ocean store as much heat as Earth’s entire atmosphere.

To effectively stop a warming ocean, the primary focus must be on mitigating climate change by drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This involves transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, protecting and restoring coastal and marine ecosystems are crucial steps.