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It’s worse than we thought: Scientists say we’ve miscalculated global warming





People are already familiar with the idea of global warming, but new data shows that we might be underestimating just how fast global warming is taking place right now.
 
Paul Durack and his colleagues from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have come to the conclusion that estimates of ocean warming for the southern hemisphere have been miscalculated; the actual number could actually more than double than originally thought. This means that in total, the world’s oceans are actually around 24 to 58 percent warmer than thought.
 
In the study, the researchers combined satellite measurements of sea surface heights with ocean temperature data, spanning the period from 1970 to 2004. Scientists agree that temperature estimates for the southern hemisphere are lower than they actually are, but this is the first time that concrete data has been provided on the matter.
 
“There has been a general acknowledgement in the literature, that southern-hemisphere estimates of ocean warming are likely biased low,” Durack said. “Our study is the first to attempt to quantify the magnitude of what this generally acknowledged underestimate is, using as much information as is available.”
 
 
“There is a tendency of (oceans) warming up and an increase in the intensity of cyclones is part of the risks,” said Herve Le Treut, a Paris university professor and climatologist.? — With a report from Agence France-Presse/TJD, GMA News
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