Sea temperatures around the world are still unusually warm. This warming could mean our oceans are behaving differently, according to Samantha Burgess from Copernicus. She mentioned that ocean temperatures heavily influence air temperatures.
One reason for the changing climate might be the decrease in tiny particles called aerosols in the atmosphere. Historically, aerosols helped cool the Earth by forming bright clouds that reflect sunlight back into space. These particles have been declining due to efforts to clean the air, especially in shipping and industries in places like China.
With fewer aerosols, the cooling effect that used to counterbalance greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane has weakened. James Hansen, a pivotal figure in climate science since the late 1980s, believes this cooling effect may have been downplayed by the UN. While many scientists aren’t fully convinced, if this theory holds true, we might face more severe climate change than we previously thought.
Professor Scaife warns of a “nightmare scenario” where warming oceans lead to fewer reflective clouds, potentially causing more warming. This idea is still uncertain, but coming months may clarify whether the recent warmth is just a temporary spike or if it signals a more rapid increase in global temperatures.
Researchers currently predict that 2025 will be slightly cooler than the warm years of 2023 and 2024. However, the recent temperature rise means they can’t say for sure. What is clear is that without major cuts to greenhouse gas emissions, we will likely break more temperature records in the future. Dr. Burgess stated that 2025 could become one of the cooler years we experience, but only if we take serious steps to reduce emissions. Otherwise, the planet will continue to warm.
