Sea ice is melting, with profound repercussions for the rest of the globe, through changing weather patterns and accelerating sea level rise. ![]() Overall, global mean sea level continued to increase in 2020. It has recently been rising at a higher rate partly due to the increased melting of the ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica. Global mean sea level has risen throughout the satellite altimeter record (since 1993). The percentage of the ocean that experienced “strong” marine heat waves (45%) was greater than that which experienced “moderate” marine heat waves (28%). Over 80% of the ocean area experienced at least one marine heatwave in 2020. The rate of ocean warming over the past decade was higher than the long-term average, indicating a continued uptake of heat trapped by greenhouse gases. 2019 saw the highest ocean heat content on record, and this trend likely continued in 2020. The ocean also absorbs more than 90% of the excess heat from human activities. Ocean acidification and deoxygenation have continued, impacting ecosystems, marine life and fisheries. This in turn reduces its capacity to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. However, the CO2 reacts with seawater, lowering its pH and leading to ocean acidification. The ocean absorbs around 23% of the annual emissions of anthropogenic CO2 into the atmosphere and acts as a buffer against climate change. WMO’s report on the State of the Global Climate 2020 highlighted the growing stress on the ocean as a result of climate change. WMO has also launched a new Ocean page: an easy access point from which to learn of the various ocean activities that WMO is working across, to support Members. This will be shown within the UN’s Virtual World Ocean Day Ceremony. WMO World Oceans Day activities also feature the new WMO video, narrated by UN Ocean Envoy, Ambassador Peter Thomson, highlighting the vital role of the ocean in our interconnected world, the increasing impact of climate change, and the need for better ocean services, science and observations to protect lives at sea and in coastal areas. The World Meteorological Organization celebrates the ocean theme for the second time this year as the Ocean, Our Climate and Weather was also the theme of World Meteorological Day on 23 March, which included a dedicated ‘ocean’ issue of the WMO Bulletin as a formally endorsed WMO contribution to the U N Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021 to 2030). ![]() ![]() “We have a once in a generation opportunity and responsibility to correct our relationship with the natural world – including the world’s seas and oceans,” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in a message. “The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods” is the theme for this year’s World Oceans Day on 8 June. The “blue economy,” which is estimated at US$ 3-6 trillion/year, accounts for more than three quarters of world trade and providing livelihoods for over 6 billion people. It drives our weather and climate, is home to most of earth’s biodiversity and is the main source of protein for more than a billion people around the world. ![]() The ocean covers over 70% of the planet and produces at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen.
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