Topic: Ocean Warming

Meteorology professors link back-to-back hurricanes like Harvey and Irma to warming oceans and climate change, suggesting extreme weather is the "new normal." A study in the journal *Science* finds that oceans are absorbing heat 40% faster than previously predicted by the UN. This rapid warming is tied to increased rainfall intensity, coral reef destruction, and declining oxygen levels in the sea.

NASA and NOAA data identified 2019 as the second warmest year on record, though media reports focused on it being the warmest year specifically for the world's oceans. The discussion critiqued the use of "Hiroshima bomb" equivalents to describe ocean heat, noting that the numbers cited by various outlets and Al Gore fluctuate wildly. The hosts argued that the "second warmest" designation implies a downward trend that is being ignored by alarmist messaging.

A CBS News poll claims 97-99% of scientists agree humans cause climate change. However, the hosts highlight a retraction by *Nature* magazine of a 2018 paper regarding ocean warming speeds due to flawed analysis. They discuss the broader "replication crisis" in science and how retracted papers often continue to be cited in major reports like those from the IPCC.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a special report on the ocean and cryosphere following a meeting in Monaco. The report claims with "very high confidence" that ice sheets are shrinking and ocean warming has doubled since 1993. Critics argue the terminology of "confidence levels" indicates the findings are based on consensus opinions rather than absolute scientific facts.

A study published in the journal Science finds that the world's oceans are warming 40% faster than previously estimated, leading to rising sea levels and coral reef destruction. The hosts transition to discussing William Arkin, a veteran journalist who recently left NBC News while criticizing the "information complex" and the national security state.

NOAA's Tide and Current Program is investigating why tides along the U.S. East Coast have been running six inches to two feet higher than normal since June. While officials state global warming is not the cause, the hosts speculate on other factors such as shifting magnetic poles or changes in the ocean floor.