A recent scientific study suggests that the world’s oceans may have absorbed a greater amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) than previously estimated, based on an improved understanding of the physical processes that regulate gas exchange between the atmosphere and the ocean. The research relies on updated formulations and observational data that allow these exchanges to be represented more accurately in climate models.
This finding reinforces the role of oceans as natural carbon sinks, a key component of the global carbon cycle that helps moderate the accumulation of CO₂ in the atmosphere. At the same time, researchers emphasize that this higher level of absorption does not represent a solution to climate change, but rather an advance in scientific knowledge that improves how these processes are quantified and understood.
More precise estimates of oceanic CO₂ uptake contribute to refining climate models used to assess future scenarios, as well as to improving the design of public policies, mitigation strategies, and mechanisms linked to carbon markets. In this context, a better understanding of natural carbon sinks is essential to strengthen the environmental integrity of climate action and support evidence-based decision-making.
In a context of persistently high global emissions, the study highlights once again the need to accelerate emissions reductions, combining advances in climate science with concrete actions to move toward an effective and sustainable climate transition.