Ocean warming
About ninety percent of global warming is occurring in the ocean (NASA, 2023).
Increasing amounts of greenhouse gases are hindering heat radiated from the surface of the Earth to escape into space the way it used to. More than 90 percent of the excess atmospheric heat is passed back to the ocean, leading the upper ocean heat content to increase significantly over the past few decades. As a result, the internal temperature of ocean water increases, causing thermal expansion. This expansion of ocean water is responsible for one-third to one-half of the global rise in sea levels.
How does this affect marine life?
Ocean warming affects marine life as the temperature of water influences which species can live in an area. Shifts in water temperature can change which marine species best thrive in certain regions. For instance, many fish have shifted their typical range because of the warming. However, some species are expected to decrease in number or abandon areas that are no longer suitable for them.
Also, not all marine life is able to migrate to cooler regions. Coral reefs for example, are extremely delicate and vulnerable for warming water. Prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures, increases the frequency and severity of coral bleaching events, threatening the survival of coral reefs worldwide.
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