The ocean has shielded us from the worst of climate change. Now it is running a fever |

The ocean is experiencing a significant increase in marine heatwaves, with 2025 recording more than triple the number of such events compared to the early 1990s. These prolonged periods of abnormally warm sea temperatures have severe ecological consequences, including coral bleaching, the destruction of kelp forests crucial for young fish, depletion of fishing grounds, and the potential to push entire ecosystems beyond recovery. Karina Von Schuckmann, an author for the IGCC and senior advisor at Mercator Ocean International, highlights these impacts. Despite these alarming indicators, the article suggests that humanity still possesses the necessary tools to mitigate climate change and restore planetary balance. The ocean has historically absorbed a substantial amount of excess heat and carbon dioxide, acting as a buffer against more extreme climate impacts on land. However, this buffering capacity is not limitless, and the current warming trend indicates the ocean's own systems are under severe stress.