June 2, 2005

Scripps-Led Global Ocean Warming
Research Paper Published In Science
Peer-reviewed study follows AAAS announcement in February

By Mario Aguilera

Research led by scientists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UCSD, that describes the first clear evidence of human-produced warming in the world's oceans will be published June 2, 2005, in the peer-reviewed journal Science.

The research was first announced publicly and widely publicized in February at a news briefing at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington, D.C. (For details, see http://scrippsnews.ucsd.edu/article_detail.cfm?article_num=666)

The paper's abstract notes: "A warming signal has penetrated into the world's oceans over the past 40 years. The signal is complex, with a vertical structure that varies widely by ocean; it cannot be explained by natural internal climate variability or solar and volcanic forcing, but is well simulated by two anthropogenically forced climate models. (The authors) conclude it is of human origin, a conclusion robust to observational sampling and model differences. Changes in advection combine with surface forcing to give the overall warming pattern. The implications of this study suggest society needs to seriously consider model predictions of future climate change."

Media Contacts: Mario Aguilera or Cindy Clark (858) 534-3624