Marine heat waves pose hidden threat to human health, researchers warn
The devastating impacts of marine heat waves extend far beyond dying coral reefs and declining fisheries, with new research warning that these extreme ocean-warming events pose a growing threat to human physical and mental health.
Marine heat waves, extreme ocean-warming events, present a growing risk to human health, according to new research from Adelaide University and the University of Hong Kong. These events, which have intensified with climate change, affect physical and mental well-being through various pathways. They can exacerbate storms and heat waves, reduce seafood supplies, disrupt livelihoods, and contribute to mental health issues like anxiety and grief, particularly for communities reliant on healthy oceans.
The researchers urge recognition of marine heat waves as a major public health concern, urging governments to include them in public health planning and coastal management decisions, similar to how they respond to land-based heat waves.
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