Only the warming of the planet caused by greenhouse gas emissions can explain the observed increase in temperature of the oceans during the 20th century, says an international team of scientists. …

Lead author of the study Peter Gleckler said: ‘The bottom line is that this study substantially strengthens the conclusion that most of the observed global ocean warming over the past 50 years is attributable to human activities.’ …

Ongoing effects include rising sea levels due to thermal expansion and melting of glaciers and ice sheets, and warming of the ocean surface, leading to increased temperature stratification.