Ocean temperatures on the rise

Ocean temperatures are rising quicker than previously predicted because the excess heat released into the atmosphere is being stored in the water.

A new study in the journal Science, discovered that ocean temperatures are rising 40 percent faster than originally discussed at a United Nations panel five years ago.

The rising temperature of oceans may not seem like a big deal, especially in Kent where oceans aren’t present, but everything is a chain reaction.

“Some of the direct impacts are sea level rise, as the ocean gets warmer has a tendency to expand. Expansion of the ocean and volume is going to lead to the rise of the ocean at the coasts,” said Cameron Lee, assistant professor in the Geography Department.

Satellite measurements have shown the sea level has risen four to eight inches over the past century. The annual rate of rise is twice the average speed than it was 80 years ago.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says we can expect the oceans to rise between 11 and 38 inches (28 to 98 centimeters) by 2100, enough to swamp many of the cities along the U.S. East Coast.

“The ocean takes up 70 percent of our Earth’s surface area and has extreme depth. It actually absorbs about 90 to 93 percent of the total warming,” said Lee.

Rising heat of the oceans also affects the ecosystems in the ocean. Populations of marine species are moving towards colder water.

“For example, coral reefs. There’s been this proliferation of bleaching of the coral reefs. In a lot of cases a large portion of the global population is dwindling because of that,” said Ryan Adams, graduate assistant in Geography at Kent State.

When coral is stressed by changes in condition such as temperature, light or nutrients, they expel the algae living in their tissues, causing them to turn white.   

Coral reefs provide a vital ecosystem for many marine creatures. Half of the Great Barrier Reef has died due to massive bleaching events.

Another effect of the rising ocean temperatures is increased strength in storms, especially hurricanes. Warmer oceans increase the amount of water that evaporates into the air. When more moisture-laden air moves over land or converges into a storm system, it can produce more intense precipitation.

“If you have warmer oceans, you generally have more intense storms. One of the thoughts with climate change is that because we have warmer atmosphere and ocean temperatures, this is going to add fuel to storms and they’ll be more intense in the future,” said Lee.  

Earth naturally goes through cycles of heating and cooling but since the mid-20th century the rate of change has increased due to human activity.  

“Over the past couple of centuries, we’ve dramatically increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels,” said Elizabeth Herndon, assistant professor in the geology department.

“It’s more of an acceptance of whether or not people are willing to acknowledge that climate change is happening. I think the bigger disconnect comes in people understanding what the causes of it are,” said Herndon.

Herndon said people accept climate change but don’t accept that climate change is caused by humans.

Climate change is a universal problem and we as people need to start making changes to help protect the place we live.

How to help

• Vote– Voting is a critical part of electing people into office that make climate change important to their campaign. Individuals can only do so much without someone in a higher office backs them.
• Become fuel efficient– Cars release the most greenhouse gases. Take public transit to work, ride a bike, car pool, switch to electric or hybrid cars.
• Use less energy- Using less energy is beneficial to the planet and your pocket! Unplug electronics when you aren’t using them. Switch your lightbulbs. Don’t wash clothes in hot water.
• Renewables- Renewable straws are fun and trendy but also help cut down on harmful plastics. Bring reusable bags when you go shopping.

We only have one Earth. Let’s protect it as best we can.

Print- Morgan Hallam

Broadcast- Shaquiena Davis