Researchers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) recently published a groundbreaking study in the journal Nature Climate Change, revealing a “robust human ‘fingerprint'” behind increasing sea surface temperatures (SST). This discovery highlights the undeniable link between human activity and climate change, emphasizing the urgent need for action.
The study examined the SST seasonal cycle amplitude (SSTAC), defined as the difference between the annual maximum and minimum sea surface temperatures. By analyzing four sets of observational data, including satellite records, ship and float measurements dating back to 1950, and various monitoring systems, the researchers identified a human-caused signal in the SSTAC that stands out among other factors contributing to the increase.
Two main drivers were identified as responsible for the human-caused signal in the SSTAC: climate change-linked alterations to surface winds in certain regions and similar climate change-linked thinning of the ocean water’s mixed-layer depths. Thinner mixed layers result in increased summer temperatures, amplifying the warming effect.