There has been a lot of talk recently about a suppose “pause” in global warming. Well, a study led by Professor Matt England of the University of New South Wales seems to have found an explanation. The past couple of decades have witnessed very strong trade winds in the Pacific, which would transfer heat from the ocean surface to the ocean depths.
The bad news is that, as and when these trade winds die down, the oceans will start releasing heat, rather than absorbing it. So, “out of this hiatus we’re expecting quite rapid warming to occur,” as England says in the video below.
There’s also a helpful article in the Guardian, if you want to read more.