The Heat Is On

THE RED BLOTCH ABOVE AUSTRALIA AND NEW GUINEA in this satellite image, released last week, represents the ocean’s hottest water, at 30 degreesC (86 degrees F). That’s unusually steamy, and it may be partly a result of the global warming that scientists think is on its way. The good news: NASA reports that the ozone hole feared over northern latitudes this spring never showed up, but only because the winter was warmer than usual. A cooler season next year, which is quite possible, and goodbye ozone.