Climate Change & Ocean Impacts

As the climate warms,
sea surface temperatures increase,

Change in sea surface temperature (°F)



-1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5

Insufficient
Data

Since 1980, the ocean has absorbed 90% of the
extra heat from climate change, which has lead
to increased ocean temperatures.

Covering about 70% of the Earth's surface, the
ocean has a two-way relationship with weather
and climate. Climate change influences many
properties of the ocean and the ocean influences
weather on local to global scales.

Warmer sea surface temperatures contribute to
increases in heavy precipitation, hurricane intensity,

and marine heat waves.

Air pushed out and back in

Short-term spikes in sea surface
temperatures create marine heat waves

J3



Water vapor
rises

Warm surface air rises

HEAVY
PRECIPITATION

Warm sea surface temperatures
lead to more atmospheric water
vapor.

RISK

for heavy rain events
has increased due to
water vapor that feeds
weather systems,
producing precipitation.

HURRICANES

Warm sea surface temperatures
drive tropical cyclone
formation and behavior.

INTENSITY

of cyclones has

increased

over the past 30 years.

8 out of 10

most active years since
1950 have occurred since
the mid-1990s.

MARINE
HEAT WAVES

Marine heat waves along U.S.
coasts have become more
widespread and severe.

DISRUPTION



of ocean ecosystems has
increased due to these
marine heat waves. This
disruption can cause
harm to ocean creatures-
particularly those that are
stationary, such as coral.

v>EPA epa.gov/climate-indicators

December 2024
EPA 430-F-24-008

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