Kim, K. (2023, August 22). Record Ocean Heat Impacts: From Hurricanes to Corals. Climate Central. Retrieved January 20, 2024, from https://www.climatecentral.org/climate -matters/record-ocean-heat-impacts-from-hurricanes-to-corals

This past summer witnessed record-breaking heat across global sea surfaces. Over the last four months, sea surface temperatures have continuously surpassed any April-July period on record, with 48% of the global ocean experiencing marine heat waves, which has been the largest area since 1991. This exceptional ocean heat, due to human-caused carbon pollution and El Nino conditions, poses severe risks. Warmer oceans fuel stronger tropical cyclones, and coral reefs face extreme stress, which leads to bleaching events. Florida’s coral reefs are particularly vulnerable, experiencing unprecedented heat stress. Addressing the root cause—carbon pollution—is crucial to prevent further destruction of ocean ecosystems and coral reefs.

This article is related to environmental science as it ties into climate change and the effect that it has on the ocean. Specifically, the effect it has on coral reefs. The rising temperatures are a parallel to the ongoing impact of carbon-pollution and also different natural causes, such as El Nino. The warming of the oceans disrupts marine life, and overall the ocean biodiversity will decrease. This makes me sad because so much of sea life depends on coral reefs, so if these reefs are bleached by the warming temperatures, many organisms will suffer. I think this situation underscores the urgency of addressing climate change and the overall carbon emissions due to human activities, and most importantly the effect it is having on the ocean.