Ocean Warming / Acidification

2016 shatters record for Alaska's warmest year

January 10, 2017

In 2016, daily temperatures in Alaska that were warmer than average outnumbered those that were cooler than average by a 9 to 1 ratio.

Warming ocean temperatures push lobster populations north

December 22, 2016

Warming sea surface temperatures from climate change are pushing populations of the American Lobster (Homarus americanus) farther north than ever before.

Climate & Lobsters

October 6, 2016

For New Englanders, the saying “as American as apple pie” may as well be “as New England as lobster,” but warming sea surface temperatures from climate change are forcing populations of the American lobster to higher latitudes than ever before—and upending fishing communities on the New England coast.

Northwest Passage clear of ice again in 2016

September 16, 2016

The Northwest Passage across the Canadian Arctic opened once again in 2016 as sea ice reached its second lowest extent on record.

2015 State of the Climate: Warm oceans, loss of sea ice behind big changes in marine life

August 2, 2016

In the 2015 edition of the State of the Climate report, climate and biology experts wrote about some dramatic impacts of warming on life in the ocean.

State of the Climate 2015: Ocean Heat Rotator

2015 State of the Climate: Ocean heat storage

August 2, 2016

Ocean heat storage has increased substantially since 1993, hitting a record high in 2015, according to the State of the Climate in 2015 report. Ocean warming accounts for over 90% of the warming in Earth’s climate system.

Great Barrier Reef suffers through record-breaking bleaching event

May 6, 2016

Unusually warm water along Australia's Great Barrier Reef has led to record-breaking coral bleaching.

Warming waters shift fish communities northward in the Arctic

December 11, 2015

Not only are there now bigger fish to fry in the Arctic's Barents Sea, but scientists predict the natural marine ecosystem will undergo a transformation.