Their findings indicate a “long-term warming trend driven by human activities.” Rising ocean temperatures result in less oxygen, which can have harmful consequences like coral reef bleaching and the melting of land and sea ice. And since water expands when it warms, it also contributes to sea-level rise.

The oceans absorb about a third of the world’s CO2 emissions and act as a thermal buffer, meaning they can store huge quantities of heat. In fact, upwards of 90% of Earth’s climate-related heat is absorbed by the oceans. It’s to some extent because of the oceans that climate change has not accelerated even further than it has today. According to another study from 2016, for every ton of CO2 not emitted, 32 square feet of Arctic ice could be saved.