Emeritus Professor Geoff Smith of the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) has introduced a novel "quantum thermal physics paradigm" to address gaps in current climate models. His findings, published in the Journal of Physics Communications, highlight the quantum mechanisms that influence ocean temperature dynamics and their implications for climate and weather patterns.
Professor Smith analyzed 70 years of ocean temperature data, showing a consistent acceleration in heat storage, culminating earlier this year in a global average sea surface temperature record of 21.1C. He explained, "Current scientific models, despite accounting for rising atmospheric greenhouse gases, fail to predict this alarming acceleration."
Professor Smith proposed that oceans store energy not only as heat but also as hybrid photon-water molecule pairs. These pairs act as quantum information carriers, distinct from those explored in quantum computing. Historically, this non-thermal energy supported ocean stability, but the scenario has shifted.
"When ocean water absorbs solar and atmospheric radiation, it retains energy in two forms: as heat and as these quantum-coupled photon-water oscillations," Smith said. "This quantum energy, while natural, is now impacted by rising atmospheric heat inputs, destabilizing overnight dissipation and contributing to accelerated ocean warming."
Smith emphasized the urgent need to integrate these quantum effects into climate models. He added, "Refining our thermal response models for outdoor systems - both natural and built - could enhance energy efficiency, human comfort, and environmental health under warming conditions."
However, he stressed the critical importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate this rapid ocean warming. "Ultimately, halting atmospheric greenhouse gas increases is the only way to slow and eventually stop this troubling trend," Smith said.
The study proposes a many-body quantum model to explain the amplified heat uptake as anthropogenic energy contributions rise.
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