Sunday, July 21, 2024 was the hottest day ever recorded on Earth. This day comes after 13 straight months of unprecedented temperatures and the hottest year on record. Sunday’s temperature broke a record that was set just last year, and temperatures in Antarctica were 22 degrees Fahrenheit above normal. Additionally, climate science nonprofit Berkeley Earth estimated that 2024 has a 92% chance of setting a new annual heat record. Under this analysis, the average temperature for 2024 is almost certain to exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, which will bring increased climate impacts worldwide and surpass the threshold of tolerable warming for many species. 

The ocean has absorbed 90% of the excess heat created by greenhouse gas emissions. In turn, the ocean is hotter and more acidic, and therefore less inhabitable for marine species. At the same time, the ocean is a powerful source of climate solutions! Ocean climate action, ranging from renewable energy development to natural carbon-storing solutions, could provide up to 35% of the greenhouse gas emission reductions needed globally to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C.