Ocean heat content hits record 23 zettajoules in 2025, accelerating sea rise and acidification

Global ocean heat content reached a record 23 zettajoules in 2025, roughly 40 times total human energy use, according to a new report. This continues a well-established warming trend, but the magnitude underscores accelerating sea-level rise and acidification, with implications for marine ecosystems and coastal infrastructure. The report's methodology and exact figures are not independently verified in this item.