Choppy Waters

Currently, the Earth's oceans absorb about nine tenths of the extra heat, trapped by anthropogenic 'greenhouse gas' emissions, in the planet's atmosphere. The record ocean temperatures of 2023, have been described as 'astounding'. It's likely the oceans are now at their hottest in 1000 years. The Earth's seas also appear to be heating up faster than at any time in the last 2000 years. This is, predictably, supercharging what used to be 'freak' weather throughout the globe. This, however, appears unlikely to go on (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/jan/11/ocean-warming-temperatures-2023-extreme-weather-data). The rising ocean temperatures increase stratification. This is a reduction in the mixing of hot surface and colder deeper waters. It reduces the water oxygen content. That, along with ocean acidification (caused by carbon dioxide uptake), threatens marine life. Mass death will reduce the ability of the oceans to absorb more of the excess heat. Atmospheric temperatures are likely to climb more quickly.