The world's oceans have recorded their highest-ever surface temperatures, according to recent data, as they contend with both human-caused climate change and the intensifying El Niño weather pattern. The average surface temperature of the planet's seas, excluding polar regions, reached 21.1 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit) on Saturday.
This figure surpasses the previous record of 21.09 degrees Celsius, which was recorded on three separate days in March 2024. The current temperature is significantly above the seasonal average.
Warmer ocean temperatures can lead to a cascade of widespread consequences. These include the intensification of extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and adverse impacts on marine ecosystems.
Dr. Samantha Burgess, deputy director of the European Copernicus climate change service, stated that this record is a "clear signal of an ocean under growing stress." She further explained that while El Niño contributes heat to the system, this occurs against a backdrop of decades of human-driven warming.
The data from Copernicus highlights the ongoing influence of both natural climate variations like El Niño and the persistent effects of global warming on the planet's oceans.