This Senate resolution recognizes that oceans are warming because of human-caused climate change. It lists scientific findings and projected changes, including that the oceans absorb about 14 zettajoules of excess heat each year and that the top 2,000 meters have gained about 372 zettajoules of excess heat since 1955. The resolution states that ocean warming is projected to be 2 to 6 times faster by 2100 than at the time the resolution was introduced. It lists harms linked to warming and acidification, including damage to coral reefs, shifts in fish populations across boundaries, threats to species with calcium carbonate shells, declines in phytoplankton, more harmful algal blooms, expanded Vibrio bacteria, and stronger hurricanes. The resolution concludes that climate change is imposing serious harms on oceans and coastal communities. The resolution was introduced in the Senate on December 17, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
The resolution states facts and concerns about ocean warming and related harms. It notes effects that could touch people who work in fishing or tourism, coastal residents, public health officials, and seafood consumers by describing risks such as shifting fish populations, more toxic algal blooms, and expanded marine pathogens. The text does not describe any new legal requirements or specific government programs. No publicly available information on direct legal or regulatory changes or new spending is included in the resolution text.
The resolution includes two dollar figures: it says coral reefs contribute $3,400,000,000 annually to the national economy, and that harmful algal blooms cost between $10,000,000 and $100,000,000 annually on average at the time of introduction. No publicly available information on new federal spending, costs to implement actions, or broader budget effects is provided in the resolution.
Supporters, as reflected in the resolution text, say that human-caused climate change is warming and acidifying the oceans and causing measurable harms. The resolution cites the amount of heat the ocean absorbs each year and accumulated heat since 1955, projects faster warming by 2100, and links warming to harms such as coral reef damage, shifts in fish stocks across borders, threats to shell-forming species, reduced phytoplankton, increased harmful algal blooms, expanded Vibrio risks to human health, and stronger hurricanes (including a cited average increase in North Atlantic hurricane wind speed of 18.6 miles per hour).
No publicly available information on opposition views or formal objections is included in the resolution text or the provided metadata.