The world has entered a new era of “global boiling,” marked by record-breaking marine temperatures and devastating impacts on marine wildlife, ecosystems, and economies. The ocean absorbs 90% of the excess heat generated by human activities, driving climate change.
According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, February 2024 saw the highest average global sea surface temperature ever recorded at 21.06°C. The previous record was set in August 2023, with temperatures in the top 100 meters of ocean basins increasing steadily since 1980.
Marine heat waves are causing catastrophic consequences, including coral bleaching and mass die-offs. A study by researchers at the University of Reading and Imperial College London found that extreme sea surface temperatures in the North Atlantic during 2023 “lie at the fringe of what is considered natural.”
The Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary saw nearly 80% of its staghorn corals killed due to the 2023 marine heat wave. This has severe implications for the ecosystem, as these corals provide critical habitat for other marine life.
Fisheries are also suffering, with sardines and salmon populations declining drastically. Small-scale fisheries operating near biogeographic transition zones are particularly vulnerable.
The Era of Global Boiling is exacerbated by warmer ocean temperatures, which reduce the ability of the ocean to absorb carbon dioxide. This vicious cycle causes the planet to heat up further, making it essential to take rapid action to strengthen local and national climate policy initiatives.
While there is still work to be done, investments such as the Inflation Reduction Act’s $369 billion in U.S. energy system modernization offer a crucial first step towards reducing climate pollution.
Source: https://www.weavenews.org/stories/2025/1/31/we-have-entered-the-era-of-global-boiling-marine-wildlife-ecosystems-and-economies-are-being-devastated