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The world’s oceans are under “severe and accelerating” stress from a combination of climate change, pollution, overfishing and habitat destruction, according to a major new United Nations assessment that paints one of the starkest pictures yet of the state of the marine environment. The Third World Ocean Assessment, compiled by nearly 600 scientists from 86 countries, warns that pressures on ocean ecosystems are intensifying even as the seas continue to absorb much of the heat and carbon dioxide generated by human activities. Among the report’s most alarming findings is that the rate of global sea level rise has more than doubled over the past decade, increasing from around 2 millimetres per year before 2015 to 4.3 mm per year in 2023.
Sea levels are rising faster as oceans absorb more heat
The assessment highlights the central role oceans play in regulating Earth’s climate. Covering more than 70% of the planet, the ocean has absorbed roughly 90% of the excess heat generated by global warming and around 30% of human-produced carbon dioxide emissions. While this has helped slow atmospheric warming, scientists say it has come at a high cost to marine ecosystems.
According to the report, ocean warming has accelerated in recent years, with 16% of all ocean heat gained since 1955 occurring after 2018 alone. The strongest relative warming has been observed in the Atlantic Ocean and parts of the southern Indian and Pacific oceans. Researchers warn that warmer oceans are contributing to rising sea levels, marine heatwaves, coral bleaching and shifts in marine species distribution.
Sea level rise remains one of the most visible consequences. Driven by both thermal expansion of warming seawater and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets, rising seas are increasing flood risks, coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion into freshwater supplies. The report notes that more than one-third of the global population lives within 100 kilometres of a coastline, while 11% live less than 10 metres above sea level, leaving millions increasingly exposed to coastal hazards.
Pollution and overfishing continue to strain marine ecosystems
Beyond climate change, scientists say pollution and industrial fishing are placing additional pressure on already stressed oceans. The assessment estimates that around 52.1 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean every year, contributing to an estimated 24.4 trillion microplastic particles that now affect more than 4,000 marine species.
Researchers also point to the cumulative impacts of overfishing and habitat degradation. While many countries have adopted new marine protection measures, fish stocks in several regions remain under pressure from industrial-scale fishing operations. Scientists warn that biodiversity loss is accelerating in many marine ecosystems, reducing their resilience to climate change and other environmental shocks.
The report notes that major knowledge gaps remain. Despite decades of exploration, only about 27% of the ocean floor had been mapped by 2025, leaving vast deep-sea ecosystems poorly understood even as interest in deep-sea mining and other industrial activities grows.
Scientists warn that urgent action is needed
Despite the concerning trends, the assessment highlights some progress in international ocean governance. The report cites the entry into force of the High Seas Treaty and dozens of other agreements aimed at protecting marine biodiversity and improving ocean management. However, researchers conclude that ocean governance remains fragmented and that stronger international coordination will be essential to address increasingly interconnected threats.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the findings should serve as a warning against treating the ocean as an unlimited resource. He called for a new relationship with the ocean grounded in science, international cooperation and shared responsibility.
Scientists involved in the assessment say the report’s message is clear: the ocean remains one of humanity’s strongest allies against climate change, but its ability to provide food, regulate climate and support biodiversity is increasingly being pushed to its limits. Without faster action to curb emissions, reduce pollution and improve marine protection, they warn that some of the changes now unfolding in the world’s oceans could become increasingly difficult to reverse.
References;
https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/ocean
https://phys.org/news/2026-06-deepening-crisis-oceans-urges-action.html
Banner image: Photo by Silas Baisch on Unsplash
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