Marine heatwaves...
The latest unscientific 'nothing burger' from the climate alarmist community.
What are marine heatwaves?
Marine heatwaves, or MHWs, are long periods of high sea surface temperatures in a specific area of the ocean. MHWs are claimed by the IPCC to have severe and harmful effects on marine ecosystems, including coral bleaching, widespread death of marine life, and disruptions in the food chain.
The idea of marine heatwaves is not new, but we have learned more about them in recent years. In the past, there may have been instances of warm oceanic events, but modern satellite technology and ocean monitoring tools have improved observation and analysis. Scientifically documented marine heatwaves were observed much later than heatwaves on land, but events in the late 20th and early 21st centuries have received significant attention.
In the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, a marine heatwave has been present since February/March 2023, and is expected to persist until at least October 2023. This could increase the risk of tropical storms and hurricanes, as well as coral bleaching and disease outbreaks.
In the Northeast Pacific, a large marine heatwave has been sitting offshore since late 2022, and has reached the Canadian and US west coasts in August 2023. This is reminiscent of the infamous “Blob” event that lasted from 2013 to 2016.
In the North Atlantic, a marine heatwave has been affecting the tropical and subtropical regions, as well as the Iberian coast and the British Isles. The average sea surface temperature in August 2023 was the highest ever recorded, reaching 20.96 °C (69.73 °F).
Source: https://climateadapt.ucsd.edu/faq-californias-marine-heatwaves/
What does the IPCC claim about marine heatwaves and climate change?
According to the IPCC, marine heatwaves and climate change are closely linked, and human influence has been the main driver of the ocean heat increase observed since the 1970s. Marine heatwaves have negative impacts on marine organisms and ecosystems, such as coral bleaching, disease outbreaks, and biodiversity loss. The IPCC report goes on to warn that unless there are immediate, rapid, and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, limiting warming to close to 1.5°C or even 2°C, marine heatwaves will have devastating effects on the marine ecosystem.
What does the science say about the effects of marine heatwaves?
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