Ocean Warming: Scientists at UN Conference in Spain Call for Action Following Scorching Sea Surface Temperature Recorded in March 2024

Ocean warming is a phenomenon that pertains to increasing ocean temperatures because of the body of water's absorption of excess heat from greenhouse gas emissions. This type of warming harms marine life and ecosystems, forcing some aquatic animal species to migrate, as stated in previous research.

In the context of climate change and global warming, the event has already caught the attention of scientists, world leaders, and other experts in the field.

During a United Nations conference in Spain this week, scientists called for action following the detection of record-breaking scorching sea surface temperature of over 21 degrees Celsius in March 2024.

The gathering held in Barcelona, brought together around 1,500 scientists, government representatives, and environmental organizations to tackle issues that Earth's oceans are facing, including ocean warming.

2024 Ocean Decade Conference

During the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference, scientists on Friday demand for more research when it comes to ocean warming or increasing ocean temperatures, warning these environmental hazards could have repercussions.

Meanwhile, some participants stressed the need to increase the number of ocean scientists and policymakers from "under-represented groups." Furthermore, cooperation between organizations worldwide was also emphasized.

The UN conference, which was held from Wednesday to Friday, April 10 to 12, saw the attendance of various scientific organizations, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Different presentations were made during the event, including scientific initiatives relating to manpower, funding, and education in the field of oceanography, which could help aspiring marine scientists in the future.

Ocean Warming Threat

Rising ocean temperatures are a significant threat in today's global marine environment. This anthropogenic climate change-driven phenomenon could affect not only marine animal and plant life but also coastal communities that rely on these natural resources for livelihood.

According to research in recent years, this increasing temperature is disrupting the ocean's food web, particularly impacting predators.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ocean warming has caused sea surface temperature to increase from 1901 to 2020, a period when temperature rose to an average rate of 0.14 degrees Fahrenheit per decade.

The data provided by the EPA shows that the warming trend for more than a century (specifically from the year 1880) has steadily increased until 2020.

In the subject of ocean warming, recordings since 1955 show that 90% of global warming is occurring in the ocean, resulting in the water's internal heat to increase, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

This discovery is crucial since ocean warming causes sea level rise because of thermal expansion, coral bleaching, melting ice sheets, intensified hurricanes, and others, NASA adds. Some of the evidence of ocean warming is the rapid permafrost thawing in different parts of the Arctic region.

Furthermore, scientists have also observed rapid ice melt across Antarctica and other icy regions in the northern hemisphere.