Recent research indicates that the ocean temperatures around the Fijian archipelago have reached their highest levels in 653 years. This study was conducted by an international team of earth and climate scientists, led by Professor Jens Zinke from the University of Leicester’s School of Geography.
Professor Zinke explained that corals serve as natural temperature sensors, recording the chemical composition of the surrounding ocean in their skeletons over centuries. By comparing their findings with historical instrumental data, the researchers were able to reveal unprecedented warmth in recent years, highlighting the effects of ongoing global warming on climate dynamics in the Pacific.
The study emphasizes that the current ocean warmth in Fiji is the highest it has been in over six centuries, and the simultaneous warming trends in the western and central Pacific may negatively impact the ecosystems and nations of the Pacific Islands. The research suggests that since the late 19th century, human activities have contributed to rising ocean temperatures, resulting in marine heatwaves that have severely affected coastal ecosystems.
The researchers aim to illuminate the relationship between temperature trends in the tropical and subtropical Pacific Oceans over the past six centuries, noting that recent synchronous warming has led to decreased temperature gradients, significantly affecting Pacific Island nations and influencing climate patterns such as drought and flooding in the broader Indo-Pacific region.