Climate crisis triples ocean heatwaves, threatening marine life

A new study has found that climate change has tripled the duration of ocean heatwaves since the 1980s, intensifying deadly storms and damaging marine ecosystems like coral reefs and kelp forests.

The research, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, revealed that half of the marine heatwaves since 2000 would not have occurred without global warming driven by fossil fuel emissions.

The analysis showed the number of extreme heat days at the ocean surface rose from 15 annually in the 1940s to nearly 50 today, with some regions experiencing up to 80 days. Marine heatwaves have become about 1°C hotter on average, with some areas, such as the Mediterranean, reaching 5°C above normal.

Scientists warn these events threaten biodiversity, fishing, tourism, and coastal safety. The study emphasizes that cutting fossil fuel emissions is essential to halt ocean warming and mitigate future impacts on marine and human life.