Earth's Energy Balance Is Disrupted – Is the Future at Risk?
World
Researchers have found that over the past 40 years, the rate of warming has increased fourfold not only on land but also in the world's oceans. The main cause of record ocean warming is the disruption of Earth's energy balance. The planet is now absorbing more energy from the Sun while returning less heat to space.
In the late 1980s, the global ocean temperature increased by about 0.06°C per decade, but today, this rate has risen to 0.27°C. Professor Chris Merchant from the University of Reading explains this rapid ocean warming using the analogy of a bathtub filled with water. In the 1980s, the "hot water tap" was running slowly, causing a gradual rise in temperature. Now, however, the flow of hot water has intensified, leading to an unprecedented increase in ocean temperatures. The only way to slow this process is to reduce global carbon emissions and reach net-zero levels.
The key factors contributing to Earth's energy imbalance include:
Increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere;
Reduced reflection of solar radiation from Earth's surface;
Greater absorption of heat by the oceans.
Scientists emphasize that since ocean surface temperatures directly impact the global climate system, these changes will have severe negative effects on Earth's climate.
Rapid ocean warming may result in:
Accelerated glacier melting;
Rising sea levels;
Intensified tropical storms and extreme weather events;
Significant damage to marine ecosystems.
Experts warn that to mitigate the consequences of global warming, it is essential to drastically reduce fossil fuel combustion and limit atmospheric pollution.
The key factors contributing to Earth's energy imbalance include:
Increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere;
Reduced reflection of solar radiation from Earth's surface;
Greater absorption of heat by the oceans.
Scientists emphasize that since ocean surface temperatures directly impact the global climate system, these changes will have severe negative effects on Earth's climate.
Rapid ocean warming may result in:
Accelerated glacier melting;
Rising sea levels;
Intensified tropical storms and extreme weather events;
Significant damage to marine ecosystems.
Experts warn that to mitigate the consequences of global warming, it is essential to drastically reduce fossil fuel combustion and limit atmospheric pollution.
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