International study.. the world’s oceans reach record-high heat levels in 2025

A recent international study has revealed that the world’s oceans recorded unprecedented levels of heat in 2025, the highest since modern measurements began. This trend increases the risks of rising sea levels, stronger storms, and the worsening decline of coral reefs.

According to the study, recently published in the journal Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, the increase in ocean heat observed last year is equivalent to 37 years of global energy consumption, based on consumption levels recorded in 2023.

These findings are the result of a large-scale scientific collaboration involving more than 50 researchers from 31 research institutions around the world. By combining data from leading international centers and independent research groups across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, scientists concluded that the heat content of the upper ocean layers, extending down to a depth of 2,000 meters, reached its highest level ever recorded in 2025, confirming a clear and persistent upward trend.

The study also found that ocean warming is not occurring uniformly. A new record was set for heat stored in deeper ocean layers, while sea surface temperatures followed a slightly different pattern, reaching the third-highest global average level recorded during the same year.

The researchers warned that the continued rise in ocean temperatures could have serious consequences, including a direct increase in sea levels due to thermal expansion, more intense and prolonged marine heatwaves, and greater amounts of heat and moisture added to the atmosphere—factors that may contribute to stronger storms and other extreme weather events.