The ocean is absorbing 90 percent of our planet's excess heat

Space · Published 19 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: While we feel the warming of the air, the vast majority of our planet's excess heat is being sequestered beneath the waves. This massive thermal shift is fundamentally altering marine ecosystems, intensifying storms, and threatening the delicate balance of global ocean circulation.

The global ocean, covering over 70 percent of Earth's surface and holding approximately 97 percent of its water, acts as a primary driver of the global climate. However, it is currently undergoing a profound transformation. Studies suggest that roughly 90 percent of global warming's surplus heat is taken up by the sea. Since measurements began in 1955, ocean heat has risen steadily, reaching record-breaking levels in 2023. This accumulation of heat is not uniform; it leads to more frequent and intense marine heat waves that can exceed the survival limits of many species, such as corals.

The consequences of this thermal energy are multifaceted. Warmer waters provide the fuel for hurricanes, causing storms to rapidly intensify. Simultaneously, the ocean is undergoing acidification as it absorbs increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide. This chemical change makes it harder for marine life to build and protect shells. On a larger scale, the melting of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets introduces fresh water into the sea, potentially disrupting the balance of temperature and salinity that drives deep ocean currents—the vital transporters of heat around the planet.

To monitor these complex interactions, NASA utilizes a suite of advanced satellites. Missions like Aqua and GRACE-FO track the water cycle and movement, while Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich measures ocean height. The SWOT satellite provides a global survey of surface water changes, and PACE monitors microscopic marine life and cloud-forming particles. Together, these tools allow scientists to move beyond ship-based observations to a holistic, 3D view of how our oceans regulate the atmosphere and support life.

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