What is the trend in the heat content of the global ocean?

Key messages

(29 Nov 2016)

• The warming of the oceans has accounted for approximately 93 % of the warming of the Earth since the 1950s. Warming of the upper (0–700 m) ocean accounted for about 64 % of the total heat uptake.
• A trend for increasing heat content in the upper ocean has become evident since the 1950s. Recent observations also show substantial warming of the deeper ocean (between depths of 700 and 2 000 m and below 3 000 m).
• Further warming of the oceans is expected with the projected climate change. The amount of warming is strongly dependent on the emissions scenario.

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