Seas around New Zealand are warming 34% faster than the global average

1 week ago 29

Researchers study successful a recently released government-commissioned survey that the seas and oceans surrounding New Zealand are warming acold faster than the planetary average.

The report, titled Our Marine Environment, recovered that New Zealand’s waters are warming 34% faster than the planetary average.

Surface temperatures successful 4 regions person risen connected mean betwixt 0.16°C and 0.26°C per decade from 1982 to 2023.

The researchers besides identified a nexus betwixt clime alteration and disruptions to monolithic water currents betwixt New Zealand and Antarctica.

The survey revealed that galore species, including the yellow-eyed penguin (hoiho) autochthonal to New Zealand, are struggling to accommodate to the warmer, much acidic waters.

“These findings mean we indispensable alteration however we negociate New Zealand’s marine environment,” warned Shane Gage, the Sea Advisor astatine the Ministry for the Environment.

“We present person capable grounds to act, and immoderate hold risks causing further harm to our marine ecosystems,” helium added.

The researchers besides recovered that oversea level emergence is accelerating successful galore areas. Estimates suggest that much than 200,000 homes successful New Zealand are located successful flood-prone zones — a hazard linked successful portion to this phenomenon.