The second-hottest year recorded at Earth’s surface was the hottest in its oceans
Among scientists who work on climate change,perhaps the most anticipated information each year is how much the Earth has warmed. That information can only come from the oceans, because nearly all heat is stored there. whether you want to understand global warming, or you need to first understand ocean warming.
This isn’t to say other measurements are not also valuable. For instance,measurements of the air temperature just above the Earth are really valuable. We live in this air; it affects us directly. A noteworthy commentary on 2017 air temperatures is provided by my colleague Dana Nuccitelli. Another measurement that is valuable is sea level rise; so too is ocean acidification. We could disappear on and on identifying the markers of climate change. But in terms of understanding how fast the Earth is warming, the key is the oceans.
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Source: theguardian.com