World’s oceans shatter temperature records again in 2024, scientists sound alarm over “exceptionally large” heat increase

The world’s oceans have broken yet another temperature record, marking the sixth consecutive year of unprecedented warming that has scientists deeply concerned about the pace of climate change. A comprehensive study published January 9 in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences found that ocean heat content in the upper 2,000 meters of water increased by the largest amount since 2017, continuing an unbroken streak of record-breaking temperatures since 2019.

“Holy shit, the oceans are hot,” said John Abraham, a professor of thermal sciences at the University of St. Thomas and study co-author, speaking candidly about the findings. “I would say it’s an exceptionally large [heat] increase, and it’s surprisingly large and it’s alarmingly large.” The blunt assessment reflects growing urgency among climate scientists as ocean warming accelerates beyond previous projections.

The landmark research, conducted by 55 scientists across 10 international research teams and led by Lijing Cheng of the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, provides the most comprehensive picture yet of global ocean warming. The findings are particularly significant because oceans absorb more than 90% of excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases, making ocean temperature a critical indicator of climate change’s progression.

This relentless warming trend carries profound implications for marine ecosystems, sea level rise, and weather patterns worldwide. As ocean temperatures continue climbing to unprecedented levels, scientists warn that the impacts on everything from coral reefs to hurricane intensity will only intensify, underscoring the urgent need for aggressive climate action.