We tend to forget that 71 per cent of the earth’s surface is covered by the oceans and most of us have absolutely no idea about the temperatures of the earth’s biggest contributor to our climate.

This is monitored by a multi-national network of about 4,000 automatic floating weather stations, (called “Argo” floats) which provide continuous temperature readings from all over the world oceans.

As more temperature readings arrive as this network expands, the world's scientists are realising that the heating of the world’s oceans is increasing at a faster rate than that first reported, due to them being in possession of more comprehensive  results.

This important news was released on January 11 but has received virtually no publicity.

The next time we think we are in possession of of sufficient facts to come to our own decision on the climate change issue, please stop and think that maybe we do not know the real situation.

Kevin Wilkinson

Arakoon