Oceans are absorbing more heat than previously estimated

Recent research suggests oceans have absorbed 60% more heat since the 1990s than previously thought. This conclusion was reached by analyzing atmospheric oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, rather than direct ocean measurements. As oceans warm, their capacity to absorb these gases decreases, leaving more in the atmosphere. This method allowed researchers to estimate the heat absorbed by oceans from 1991 to 2016. The warming oceans could lead to faster sea level rise, coral reef die-offs, and more intense storms.

What percentage more heat are oceans absorbing since the 1990s compared to earlier estimates?

How much heat energy have seas absorbed every year between 1991 and 2016?

What methods did researchers use to estimate ocean heat absorption?

What factors did researchers control for when estimating how much heat the oceans have absorbed?

What potential consequences could warmer oceans lead to?