Warming of the world ocean, 1955-2003

We present new estimates of the variability of ocean heat content based on: a) additional data that extends the record to more recent years; b) additional historical data for earlier years. During 1955 - 1998 world ocean heat content ( 0 - 3000 m) increased 14.5 +/- 10(22) J corresponding to a mean temperature increase of 0.037 degreesC at a rate of 0.20 Wm(-2) ( per unit area of Earth's total surface area).