Key messages
- The oceans are a major influence on global and Australian climate.
- The oceans currently store over 93% of increased heat accumulating in the
Earth’s climate system. - Warming oceans and loss of mass from glaciers and ice sheets are causing sea
level to rise. - Ocean acidification is an inevitable consequence of rising atmospheric
carbon dioxide. - Ocean warming and acidification have significant negative implications for
marine environments and ecosystem services.
Church J., Cai W., Wang G. & Lenton A., 2017. The oceans and our climate. In: Mapstone B. D. (Ed.), Oceans: science and solutions for Australia, pp. 51-62. CSIRO Publishing. Report.
