China’s coastal waters have recorded an average temperature of 21.50 °C in 2024, the highest on record, reflecting a global trend of rising ocean temperatures. The global sea surface temperature has also reached a record 20.87 °C, resulting in heightened extreme weather occurrences worldwide. Reports indicate that 104 countries documented their highest temperatures ever, exacerbated by climate-related events such as droughts and heatwaves, affecting multiple continents.
The average temperature of China’s coastal waters has reached a record high of 21.50 °C in 2024, representing an increase for the second consecutive year. This temperature is 0.15 °C greater than that of 2023 and 1.16 °C above the usual annual average, as reported by the National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center. This rise in temperature aligns with a global trend, where ocean temperatures have also reached unprecedented levels, with the global sea surface temperature recorded at 20.87 °C. The Copernicus Climate Change Service has noted that 2024 is marked as the warmest year for ocean waters in the current observational history.
The implications of increasing ocean temperatures include heightened frequencies of extreme weather phenomena and climate-related events. The adverse effects are being felt worldwide, as a report from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences indicates that 104 countries experienced their highest recorded temperatures in 2024. This has been followed by widespread extreme weather conditions, including droughts, heatwaves, and wildfires impacting regions such as South Africa, South Asia, the Philippines, Brazil, Europe, and the northeastern United States.
The report, supported by collaboration among 54 scientists from 31 research institutions globally, underscores the critical nature of climate change and its tangible impacts on weather patterns and human society. Understanding these trends is increasingly vital as they contribute to the overarching narrative of climate change impacting global ecosystems and the safety of populations.
The phenomenon of rising ocean temperatures has been widely recognized as an indicator of broader climate change. Coastal waters are particularly sensitive to variations in temperature due to factors such as shallow depths, ocean currents, and the influence of atmospheric conditions. Such changes in sea temperature have profound implications for marine ecosystems, weather patterns, and human activities such as fishing and tourism. The continuous monitoring of these temperatures is essential for understanding environmental shifts and preparing for future climate-related challenges. Global data support the assertion that rising temperatures are occurring alongside a marked increase in extreme weather events worldwide, necessitating urgent attention and action. The reports on record temperatures from the Copernicus Climate Change Service and China’s National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center illustrate a concerning trend that emphasizes the need for comprehensive research into climate dynamics and mitigation strategies.
In conclusion, the record-high temperatures observed in both China’s coastal waters and globally signify a worrying trend of climate change and its far-reaching effects. The increases in sea surface temperatures are correlated with an uptick in extreme weather events across the globe, calling for immediate action from governmental and environmental organizations. As nations report unprecedented heat levels and experience widespread climate-related disruptions, there is an urgent need for prioritizing climate resilience and proactive measures to address this urgent issue.
Original Source: www.ecns.cn
