Global ocean surface temperature reaches a record 21.1°C
The average surface temperature of the global ocean reached a record 21.1°C on Friday and Saturday, slightly exceeding the previous maximum recorded in March 2024. ABC News Australia reports, citing data from the European Copernicus Climate Change Service.
The impact of El Niño
According to Copernicus Strategic Climate Lead Samantha Burgess, the record warming was driven by the natural El Niño phenomenon, which continues to intensify, as well as human-caused climate change. She noted that El Niño accounts for a significant share of ocean warming, while long-term warming caused by burning coal, oil and gas has raised water temperatures by 0.8°C.
El Niño is a temporary warming of certain parts of the Pacific Ocean that changes weather patterns and raises global temperatures. The phenomenon can last up to 12 months. Burgess estimated that the current El Niño is already comparable to previous major episodes, continues to grow and may reach an unprecedented level at its peak, expected between November and January.
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Consequences of warming
Usually, global sea surface temperatures peak in March or April, when summer ends in the Southern Hemisphere, where most of the oceans are located. However, this year the record was set in August. Burgess suggested that the oceans would continue warming in the coming months, until the peak of the current El Niño.
According to her, warmer water becomes more acidic and contains less oxygen, harming marine species and industries dependent on marine resources. It can also alter ocean currents and weather patterns, intensify storms, increase precipitation and storm surges. Oceanographer and former head of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Jane Lubchenco called the new record “very alarming.”
