Global ocean surface temperatures reached a record high in July, with average temperatures exceeding 20°C [1].
This spike in oceanic heat threatens marine ecosystems and disrupts critical infrastructure, including the cooling systems used by power plants to generate electricity.
The European Copernicus observatory confirmed the record in a bulletin published Monday [3]. The data covers the geographical range between 60°S and 60°N [2]. Copernicus said the current state of the oceans is an "exceptional situation" [4].
Experts attribute the record heat to global climate change, which has been further amplified by the El Niño phenomenon [5]. This combination has led to a surge in temperatures that has particularly impacted Western Europe [6].
Climate experts said they have not experienced such a climate in their lifetime [7]. The heat is not only affecting the environment but also industrial capacity. One energy analyst said power plants are on the verge of asphyxiation because of the record oceanic heat [8].
While the records were measured globally, the effects are being felt acutely in coastal regions. The rise in surface temperature alters weather patterns and increases the intensity of storms—a trend that continues to accelerate as the planet warms.
“"exceptional situation"”
The breach of the 20°C average threshold indicates a significant accumulation of thermal energy in the Earth's oceans. Because water retains heat longer than air, these records suggest a long-term shift in baseline temperatures that could lead to more frequent extreme weather events and permanent disruptions to marine biodiversity.
