The North Atlantic is in uncharted territory.
The entire ocean basin is a record-smashing 1.5°C above normal, as millions of square miles of ocean experience strong to severe marine heatwaves.
Off the coast of Canada, ocean temperatures are up to 9°C (16°F) above average!
These record-warm temperatures are already having devastating impacts on marine ecosystems. In Florida, water temperatures have soared as high as 98°F (36.7°C), with coral bleaching ongoing and expected to rapidly ramp up throughout the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean in the coming weeks.
Record-warm ocean temperatures in the Atlantic will also fuel potentially stronger hurricanes and a more active hurricane season. More heat in the ocean equals more energy, increasing the upper limit of hurricane strength and thus exponentially increasing the damage potential of storms.
For example, a 110 mph Category 2 hurricane has over 2x the damage potential of a 100 mph Category 2 storm.
With over a month until water temperatures typically peak, the North Atlantic is just 0.1°C away from tying the all-time record for its highest ocean temperature (set last year), which it will inevitably break in the coming days.
Many congratulations @PenHadow on being awarded the 2023 Shackleton medal. Fully deserved recognition of your dedication, efforts and achievements in the #Arctic. Onwards!
Record-breaking explorer and conservationist, @penhadow, has been awarded the 2023 Shackleton Medal for the Protection of the Polar Regions. The award recognises his commitment to protect the Central Arctic Ocean and latest initiative to establish a Marine Protected Area.
🚨 @TheEconomist's 10th Annual World Ocean Summit starts on Monday
ORRAA's Executive Director, @karen_sack & Programme and Risk Director @chipc27 are speaking on the urgent need to support local coastal communities and conservation in the Global South🤝
#BackBlue
The Commonwealth Blue Charter Project Incubator is now accepting applications under its first Small Grants Round. This round of applications closes on Tuesday 10/01/23. Apply here: https://t.co/SOWTawUAyX
The Commonwealth Blue Charter is an Institutional Partner of @ORRAAnews
Appeal for photo images of ANY species by amateurs, tourists, explorers & pros taken within the Central Arctic Ocean (ie more than 200nm offshore). Arctic fox, seals, Pacific Walrus, Orca, Bowhead & Gray whale, Narwhal, Beluga, Gulls, Fish etc for FOC use by our ocean charity.
Excited to 📢@orraanews is hiring: a Policy and Advocacy Lead to shape and deliver our strategy for this crucial element of ORRAA’s mission. Find out more: https://t.co/XKHGVXba77
@ORRAAnews’s new Programme and Risk Director, @chipc27 making opening remarks at the Commonwealth Blue Charter breakfast on “assessing pathways for long-term rapid climate resilience solutions for #SIDS and #coastal cities” 🌊
#BackBlue#UNOceanConference2022
A global search for the next generation of coastal and ocean resilience projects is on💡
With a multi-million pound backing from the Canadian government, @ORRAAnews announces its call for proposals for innovative coastal & ocean resilience projects.
https://t.co/6FLdUncRPw
The first ever ORRAA member meeting is making a mark in Lisbon today, with discussions centred on immediate ocean action. 🌊
Key discussions:
👉Steps to mobilise investments
👉Use of data to reduce risk and build resilience
👉A roadmap from the #UNOceanConference to #COP27
#ArcticLive fox has made its appearance!
Take a look and join the final flipgrid session for the USA at 1PM EDT for USA schools.
Register: https://t.co/pnEfoQcneT
Thank you @AXA_XL for smashing programme!
There are 2 #citizenscience projects to get involved for schools interested in more polar science with @AXA_XL#ArcticLive:
🐧Penguin Watch
https://t.co/Hs5orLT8nq
🦭Walrus from Space
https://t.co/Vmi8KGJfoj
The US announces it is going to be supporting the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance @ORRAAnews with a $1m commitment - welcome aboard @JohnKerry and the U.S. and as you said, ‘let’s rock the boat’ #OurOceanPalau
📣@ORRAAnews's very first action report is live.
Take a look at what we have been working on over the past year and learn about the projects being driven by ORRAA members in our first Action Report.💪
👉 https://t.co/zbqiJTFOqF
Severe storms are increasingly damaging tropical mangroves, which deliver much-needed coastal resilience for communities.
@AXA_XL and @nature_org are studying the feasibility of providing insurance to protect/restore these assets: https://t.co/RPBQ7Po42I #OceanClimateAction