3.warming oceans are a warning of the chaos ahead

The causes of record-breaking ocean temperatures are also being investigated. While an El Ni?o weather event was expected this year, it is not regarded as a sufficient explanation of the ocean temperature rises recorded since April. Heat is also thought to be causing oceans’ colour to change from blue to green, due to increased plankton. The situation is particularly concerning because we have relied on the oceans to absorb 90% of the heat trapped by greenhouse gases. Dr Bernadette Sloyan, a marine scientist in Australia, has compared their role to that of an air conditioner.

海洋温度破纪录的原因也在调查中。虽然今年预计会出现厄尔尼诺天气事件，但它被认为不足以解释自4月以来记录的海洋温度上升。由于浮游生物的增加，热量也被认为是导致海洋颜色从蓝色变为绿色的原因。这种情况尤其令人担忧，因为我们依赖海洋吸收90%的温室气体所捕获的热量。澳大利亚海洋科学家伯纳黛特·斯洛扬博士将它们的作用比作空调。