![]() ![]() Our research shows, in some parts of the world’s oceans, wave power is increasing because of stronger wind energy and the shift of westerly winds towards the poles. In other words, we come to a cascade of impacts: warmer sea surface temperatures bring about stronger winds, which alter global ocean wave conditions. This helps spin up atmospheric circulation and winds. And when the ocean absorbs heat, the sea surface warms, encouraging the warm air over the top of it to rise (this is called convection). Ocean waves are generated by winds blowing along the ocean surface. Mangrove forests are among the most imperilled ecosystems as sea levels rise and ocean waves crash harder against the coast. So without these fringing ecosystems, the coastal communities behind them will be exposed to more wave energy and, potentially, higher erosion. These ecosystems often provide a natural buffer to wave attack for low-lying coastal areas. This process is known as “ coastal squeeze”. But when these ecosystems back onto urban areas, they have nowhere to go and die out. To escape, mangroves and marshes naturally migrate to higher ground. Mangroves and salt marshes, for example, are particularly vulnerable to increases in wave energy when combined with sea level rise. So any small, sustained changes in waves can have long-term consequences for coastal ecosystems and the people who rely on them. Ocean waves have shaped Earth’s coastlines for millions of years. ![]() Ocean warming threatens coral reefs and soon could make it harder to restore them We looked at wave conditions over the past 35 years, and found global wave power has increased since at least the 1980s, mostly concentrated in the Southern Hemisphere, as more energy is being pumped into the oceans in the form of heat.Īnd a more energetic ocean means larger wave heights and more erosive energy potential for coastlines in some parts of the world than before. Shutterstockīut our focus was on how warming oceans boost wave power. Since at least the 1980s, wave power has increased worldwide as more heat is pumped into the ocean. ![]()
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