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Over the past twenty years, the rate of ocean warming has doubled, accompanied at the same time by shrinking sea ice, rising water levels, and increased ocean acidity.
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The tenth Copernicus Global Ocean Warming Report, from the ongoing Earth observation program, indicates long-term changes in ocean temperature, sea level, and the health of marine ecosystems. The report, compiled by more than 100 scientists from around the world, is based on data from satellites, buoys, and sensors collected over more than 40 years. Island nations and coastal areas are particularly vulnerable.
According to researchers, the world's oceans absorb nearly 90% of the excess heat generated by human-caused fossil fuel combustion. Ocean surface temperatures reached record highs between 2023 and 2026, with the ocean absorbing an additional 23 zettajoules of heat in 2025 alone, marking the ninth consecutive year of record-breaking heat. This amount is equivalent to the energy released by 12 Hiroshima-sized atomic bombs every second for a year.
This accumulated heat contributes to marine heat waves, affects marine life, and accelerates sea-level rise. Since 1999, the average global sea level has risen by about 3.8 mm per year, totaling nearly 10 centimeters. Moreover, the rate of rise has been accelerating since 2012.
In addition, the chemical composition of seawater is changing. Since 1985, ocean water has become approximately 17% more acidic due to carbon dioxide absorption. This acidification affects some marine organisms, including oysters, lobsters, and corals, making it difficult for them to form and maintain their shells and skeletons.
Some regions are experiencing extreme climate change. In 2024, the Mediterranean and Black Seas experienced record-breaking marine heatwaves, some lasting more than 30 days, with water temperatures rising 4.6°C above average. The Arctic has also seen significant changes; over the past four decades, sea surface temperatures there have risen by approximately 4.2°C. Between 1979 and 2025, the average monthly extent of sea ice decreased by about 490,000 square kilometers per decade—an area roughly the size of Spain.
The melting of Antarctic ice in 2022 led to a catastrophic failure of emperor penguin breeding, with four out of every five colonies failing to hatch. This is an indication that climate change is already damaging the habitats of animals that depend on sea ice.
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