Global Oceans Suffer Most Devastating Heatwave in Nine Consecutive Years
A staggering 365 million Hiroshima-sized atomic bombs' worth of energy has been absorbed by the world's oceans, setting a record for the ninth year running. This alarming trend is attributed to rising greenhouse gas emissions, which scientists warn are exacerbating extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and destabilizing marine ecosystems.
The consequences are already being felt across communities worldwide, particularly through intensified storms and severe flooding. The most recent examples include the devastating monsoon rains that claimed over 1,300 lives in Southeast Asia in 2025, and flash floods in Central Texas that killed at least 138 people, including 27 young campers and counselors.
Researchers point to these catastrophic events as evidence of the catastrophic impact of marine warming. In fact, Earth's oceans are acting as its primary thermal energy sink, absorbing an alarming 90% of the excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This is having a profound effect on global climate impacts, fueling storm intensification and contributing to increased atmospheric moisture and energy availability.
To calculate the magnitude of ocean heat absorption, scientists measured temperature fluctuations in the upper 6,500 feet of the global ocean, finding that it was about 23 zettajoules higher than it was at the end of 2024. This made 2025 the hottest year on record for Ocean Heat Content (OHC).
The alarming trend is not expected to abate anytime soon. In fact, researchers warn that unless net-zero carbon emissions are achieved, the global ocean heat content will continue to rise. The consequences are already being felt in extreme weather events and sea-level rise, with coral reefs also under severe threat.
With a staggering 84% of the world's coral reef area experiencing bleaching-level heat stress since January 2023, mass coral bleaching has been documented in at least 83 countries and territories. Unless rapid emissions reductions can be achieved, this trend is expected to continue, threatening not just coral reefs but entire ecosystems.
The importance of strengthening ocean monitoring and uncovering the mechanisms behind ocean heat redistribution cannot be overstated. By doing so, communities worldwide can begin to adapt to a new climate reality and build resilience in the face of an increasingly unpredictable future.
A staggering 365 million Hiroshima-sized atomic bombs' worth of energy has been absorbed by the world's oceans, setting a record for the ninth year running. This alarming trend is attributed to rising greenhouse gas emissions, which scientists warn are exacerbating extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and destabilizing marine ecosystems.
The consequences are already being felt across communities worldwide, particularly through intensified storms and severe flooding. The most recent examples include the devastating monsoon rains that claimed over 1,300 lives in Southeast Asia in 2025, and flash floods in Central Texas that killed at least 138 people, including 27 young campers and counselors.
Researchers point to these catastrophic events as evidence of the catastrophic impact of marine warming. In fact, Earth's oceans are acting as its primary thermal energy sink, absorbing an alarming 90% of the excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This is having a profound effect on global climate impacts, fueling storm intensification and contributing to increased atmospheric moisture and energy availability.
To calculate the magnitude of ocean heat absorption, scientists measured temperature fluctuations in the upper 6,500 feet of the global ocean, finding that it was about 23 zettajoules higher than it was at the end of 2024. This made 2025 the hottest year on record for Ocean Heat Content (OHC).
The alarming trend is not expected to abate anytime soon. In fact, researchers warn that unless net-zero carbon emissions are achieved, the global ocean heat content will continue to rise. The consequences are already being felt in extreme weather events and sea-level rise, with coral reefs also under severe threat.
With a staggering 84% of the world's coral reef area experiencing bleaching-level heat stress since January 2023, mass coral bleaching has been documented in at least 83 countries and territories. Unless rapid emissions reductions can be achieved, this trend is expected to continue, threatening not just coral reefs but entire ecosystems.
The importance of strengthening ocean monitoring and uncovering the mechanisms behind ocean heat redistribution cannot be overstated. By doing so, communities worldwide can begin to adapt to a new climate reality and build resilience in the face of an increasingly unpredictable future.
. We're literally running out of time to fix this climate thing & I'm not sure if we're gonna be able to turn back the clock or not. Like, have you ever stopped to think about how our addiction to fossil fuels is basically just burning down the planet's energy sink without even realizing it? 
It's like, we need to wake up & smell the coffee, you know? We can't keep relying on convenience over sustainability. We gotta start making some serious changes or else we're gonna be facing a future where our oceans are completely gone & so much more 
they're like sponges soaking up all this extra heat from greenhouse gases 
it's crazy that scientists are measuring 23 zettajoules more in the ocean than last year! 
That's like, a huge bomb of energy 
especially those young campers and counselors who lost their lives in Texas 
it's just not fair 
to reduce our carbon emissions and protect our oceans 
I'm talking net-zero, people! 
Let's work together to make a difference 
before it's too late 
. We need to take action now and reduce our carbon emissions ASAP if we want to avoid a catastrophic future for marine ecosystems and human communities alike 
. It's not just about the coral reefs, but also about the people affected by intense storms and flooding... it's heartbreaking 
i mean, 84% of coral reefs experiencing heat stress? that's just devastating 
and what's with all these extreme weather events? it's like the earth is throwing us a warning sign 
we need to take action now, like seriously, net-zero emissions ASAP 
and maybe then we can start talking about a future where the oceans aren't just dying 
. I mean, 365 million Hiroshima-sized atomic bombs' worth of energy being absorbed by the oceans is CRAZY! We need to take action ASAP to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow down climate change 
. I've been reading about this issue for a while now, and it's heartbreaking to see coral reefs dying off and sea levels rising 
.
It's no wonder we're seeing record-breaking heatwaves and extreme weather events. I mean, who wouldn't want to just absorb all that excess heat like it's nothing? 
. I mean, 2023 was like 2 years ago? 
Where were the climate leaders then?! Anyway, it's time for us to take action and support scientists who are working tirelessly to understand ocean heat absorption.
I'm getting super worried about our oceans they're absorbing way too much heat from all the greenhouse gases we're releasing... it's like they're literally carrying the weight of the world on their backs. I mean, 365 million Hiroshima-sized atomic bombs' worth of energy is a LOT of heat! 
. We need to take action now and reduce our carbon emissions ASAP 
or else we'll see more devastating storms and flooding. It's not just about the ocean, it's about our future 
. We need to get our act together and protect these incredible ecosystems before they're gone for good 
this is crazy! 365 million hiroshima bombs worth of energy just getting sucked into the oceans? what's next? the earth is literally burning out... 
this is insane! it's not just the coral reefs that are dying, but entire ecosystems are being devastated by these heatwaves. 84% of the world's coral reef area experiencing bleaching-level heat stress? that's mind-boggling... what's even more disturbing is that this isn't an isolated incident - we're seeing more and more extreme weather events like floods, storms, and droughts 
it's getting to the point where scientists are saying we need net-zero carbon emissions ASAP or else we'll be facing a catastrophe on a massive scale. can we please take action now?! 
climate change is no joke and if we don't get our act together, we're gonna face some serious consequences 
.