A new study published in Environmental Research Letters reveals that the rate of ocean warming has more than quadrupled over the past four decades. In the late 1980s, oceans warmed by about 0.06 degrees Celsius per decade, but now they are increasing at a rate of 0.27 degrees Celsius per decade.
The acceleration is driven by the Earth’s growing energy imbalance, where more energy from the Sun is being absorbed than escaping back to space. This imbalance has roughly doubled since 2010 due to increasing greenhouse gas concentrations and less sunlight reflection.
Global ocean temperatures reached record highs for nearly a year in 2023-2024, with 44% of the warmth attributed to oceans absorbing heat at an accelerating rate. The study warns that this trend may be surpassed in just the next 20 years, highlighting the urgent need to reduce fossil fuel burning and stabilise the climate.
Professor Chris Merchant, lead author of the study, notes: “If we don’t slow down ocean warming, it’s like closing off the hot tap – we need to cut global carbon emissions and move towards net-zero.” The findings underscore the importance of addressing climate change through immediate action.
Source: https://www.reading.ac.uk/news/2025/Research-News/Ocean-surface-warming-four-times-faster-now-than-late-1980s