I want to know the chemistry behind the rise in ocean temperatures. Certainly, any pollution we are putting into the atmosphere would have to cause a chemical reaction of some sort, if it is outside of the planet’s natural abilities to process such gasses.

Further I want to know if these temperature variances are enough to cause harm to aquatic life. A coral reef, if left at a temperature above 84 degrees (F) for an extended period of time, will die. If the temperature shift amounts to partial points of a degree, I would suspect that this shift is well within the scope of natural phenomena (aquatic life is adapted to adjustments in temperature within 2-4 degrees). Without a direct link to greenhouse gasses, there is no way to prove conclusively that the greenhouse effect is anything more than a theory.

Regardless of my feelings on this particular matter, I do think that signing the Kyoto Protocol is a good idea that might put us on the right track overall. We do need to be aware of our surroundings. What irks me, is that these studies offer possiblities, not conclusions, and the “scientists” behind these studies sell their theories as “conclusive proof” to a public that is far too trusting of its media.

Basically, the study claims that the observed temperature changes in the worlds oceans match the predictions that a human-caused CO2 based model arrives at.