Change in global weather patterns due warming seas, says report
Posted on: 09/Sep/2016 9:21:16 AM
A new report written by researchers at the University of Sheffield`s Department of Geography has said that the upper depths of the oceans of the Earth have warmed significantly over the last 20 years causing an increase in the number of severe hurricanes, storm surges, loss of ice and change in global weather patterns. The report was presented at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Hawaii.
According to the report, The South Atlantic area was traditionally viewed as an unlikely region for hurricane formation because of its cooler sea surface temperatures, however in 2004 conditions were more favourable than normal due to warmer ocean temperatures, spawning Hurricane Catarina off the coast of Brazil. The atmosphere in the polar regions has warmed at about twice the average rate of global warming with Arctic coasts experiencing a rise in the occurrence of storm surges. This increase in storm surges can have a detrimental effect on fragile ecosystems in the area, such as low relief tundra, underlain by permafrost.
Say the researchers, Many people may associate warmer seas with the pleasant weather conditions they`re used to experiencing while on holiday, but the fact of the matter is that an increase in sea temperatures is having a huge impact on the world`s weather. Our study has shown that severe hurricanes, storm surges, melting ice in the Arctic region and changes to El Nino are all being caused by sea temperatures rising across the planet. These are all things that can have a devastating impact on the way we live our lives.
