Ocean surface temperatures have reached a record high for June, surpassing the previous record set in 2023, the Copernicus Climate Change Service has announced. On 21 June, temperatures outside the polar regions exceeded previous highs, raising fears of another summer of extreme heat.
The European scientists warned that the new peak would likely bring consequences for weather patterns, the global climate and marine ecosystems, particularly as it coincides with the early stages of a strong El Niño event. The 2023 record presaged devastating heatwaves, floods and storms worldwide.
Oceans absorb more than 90 per cent of the excess energy from human-caused warming, primarily from burning fossil fuels. The imbalance hit a record 23 zettajoules last year, more than double the average of the previous two decades, accelerating ocean warming to the equivalent of about 11 Hiroshima bombs per second.
Although land temperatures often attract more attention, ocean temperatures provide a fuller picture of climate disruption. The UN secretary general, António Guterres, has warned that Earth is being pushed beyond its limits.
Scientists said it was too early to say whether the sea surface heating would prove temporary, as annual peaks usually occur in July and August. However, Carlo Buontempo, Copernicus director, cautioned: “With ocean temperatures at these levels and El Niño on the horizon, we are likely to see more temperature records fall in the coming months.”
