Climate Threat Global Challenges

Huge Marine Heat Wave Expected to Have Major Weather Impact

A widespread marine heat wave is currently sweeping the Pacific Ocean. It covers an area more than eight times the size of the continental United States, or 13.5 percent of the Earth's surface, reports the Washington Post.

It stretches from the Philippines to Peru and is the result of two combined heat waves, one in the North Pacific and one linked to El Niño in the South.

The high water temperatures are expected to have major – and long-lasting – effects on the weather.

“Several months of heat could have a major impact this winter and spring,” says climate scientist Dillon Amaya.

The heat wave is expected to lead to a super typhoon in the western Pacific and a heat dome in the western United States as early as this month.

Climate change has contributed to the share of the world's oceans affected by marine heat waves growing from 9 to 30 percent since the 1980s.

Despite Coral Bleaching – Great Barrier Reef Not Endangered

The Great Barrier Reef off Australia will not be classified as endangered. The UN agency UNESCO announced this on Friday, Reuters and AFP write. The decision has been made despite the reef being severely affected by coral bleaching as a result of global warming.

The reef is important for the Australian tourism industry and the government in Canberra welcomes UNESCO's decision. Deputy Tourism Minister Nita Green says the government appreciates that UNESCO has noted the work underway to protect and preserve the reef, Reuters writes.