Oceans absorbed record heat equal to 40 times annual global energy use
5 hours ago
- Record 23 zettajoules of heat absorbed by oceans, nearly 40 times global human energy use.
- Sea levels rising at an accelerating rate (4.2 mm/year from 2012-2025); ocean acidity up 17% in 40 years.
- Oceans absorbed one-third of CO2 emissions and 90% of excess heat from greenhouse gases.
- Europe warming twice as fast as global average, with record marine heatwaves in Mediterranean and Black Seas.
- Widespread marine damage: 84% of coral reefs experienced bleaching-level stress; four emperor penguin colonies failed to breed in 2022.
- Separate report: over one-third of humanity exposed to dangerous ground-level ozone due to 'ozone-climate penalty'.
- Only 5% of world population experienced safe ozone levels in early 2026, underscoring interconnected climate and health crises.