Hottest ever temperature recorded in oceans that leaves grim implications for planet

The hottest ever temperature has been recorded in oceans, the European Union's climate change service Copernicus has confirmed.

Copernicus, which is the Earth observation component of the EU’s space programme, said average daily global sea surface temperature has beaten a 2016 record this week, highlighting the grim effects of climate change on our planet.

After climbing to 20.96C, the record-breaking temperature is well above average for this time of year.

Carlo Buontempo, Director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, said last month: “Record-breaking temperatures are part of the trend of drastic increases in global temperatures.

“Anthropogenic emissions are ultimately the main driver of these rising temperatures.”

Pexels from Pixabay

The increase of ocean temperatures has a drastic impact various factors, as seas are an important climate regulator on Earth.

These include the fact warmer waters are unable to absorb carbon dioxide as effectively, or that they lead to rising sea levels from glaciers melting.

Some animals like sharks may also become more aggressive thanks to the confusion of higher temperatures in their environment.

Copernicus is a research firm funded by the EU that gathers data on the past, present and future implications of climate change.

As outlined on its website, it offers information services drawing from satellite Earth Observation and in-situ (non-space) data, which is free and openly accessible to users.

M Swiet Productions/Getty

According to Copernicus’ Dr Samantha Burgess, March should be the time of year when the oceans globally are warmest, not August.

She told the BBC: "The fact that we've seen the record now makes me nervous about how much warmer the ocean may get between now and next March."

The previous record was set in 2016, when the climate phenomenon El Niño was at its most powerful.

Burgess added: "The marine heatwaves that we're seeing are happening in unusual locations where we haven't expected them."

Dr Kathryn Lesneski, who is monitoring a marine heatwave in the Gulf of Mexico for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, also told the outlet: "The water feels like a bath when you jump in.

"Right now there is widespread coral bleaching at shallow reefs in Florida and many corals have already died."

Professor Petteri Taalas, the World Meteorological Organization’s Secretary-General, previously warned that such changes are a ‘foretaste’ of the future, pointing to the extreme weather affecting millions throughout July was the ‘harsh reality of climate change’.

“The need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is more urgent than ever before,” he said.

“Climate action is not a luxury but a must.”

• What extreme heat does to your body as temperatures exceed 118°F in the world's hottest cities
• Scientists make prediction for ‘Godzilla’ El Niño and reveal how devastating the impact could be
• Millions brace for East Coast heatwave that could break records
• Doomsday clock moves closer to disaster than ever before as it updates for 2026