Quantum mechanism identified as a key to accelerating ocean temperatures

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2024-11-27 09:30:04

Accelerating rates of heat uptake by oceans that don't fit current climate models can now be explained by quantum physics according to an Australian scientist.

In a recent paper published in the Journal of Physics Communications, Emeritus Professor in Applied Physics at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Geoff Smith puts forward a new "quantum thermal physics paradigm" to better understand the impact of global warming on oceans and thus on climate and weather.

Professor Smith said accumulated data over 70 years showed an accelerating rise in ocean temperatures and the total energy stored in oceans, with the world earlier this year passing what was described as a "foreboding milestone" -- a record global average sea surface temperature of 21.1°C.

"Current scientific models in the presence of ongoing rises in atmospheric greenhouse gasses do not predict this threatening acceleration," Professor Smith said.