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Global sea surface temperatures reach record high of 21.1°C
Global sea surface temperatures reached a new record high of 21.1°C on 22 August, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service. This figure narrowly surpasses the previous record of 21.09°C set in March 2024.
Scientists attribute this unprecedented warmth to the combined effects of long-term human-driven climate change and a developing El Niño event in the tropical Pacific. The timing of the record is considered highly unusual, as global ocean temperatures typically peak in March or April rather than August.
The rising temperatures pose significant risks to marine ecosystems, including coral bleaching and shifts in fish populations, and may intensify extreme weather patterns, sea-level rise, and threats to coastal communities.
Entities
Copernicus Climate Change Service · El Niño · El Niño · European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts · European Union · Samantha Burgess · World Meteorological Organization
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Measurements are based on sea temperatures taken 10 meters below the surface using buoys, ships, and satellites. k24.digital · news.slashdot.org
- [● 7 SOURCES] The record heat is attributed to a combination of human-driven climate change and a developing El Niño event. fishfocus.co.uk · k24.digital · www.news9live.com · www.dnoticias.pt · www.stylo24.it · +2 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The new record of 21.1°C surpassed the previous record of 21.09°C set in March 2024. fishfocus.co.uk · k24.digital · www.news9live.com · news.slashdot.org · www.dnoticias.pt · +3 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Long-term warming from fossil fuel combustion has increased ocean temperatures by approximately 0.8°C. www.news9live.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The ocean temperature record may be broken again in March or April 2027. news.slashdot.org
- [● 2 SOURCES] The El Niño event is expected to strengthen and could reach its peak between November and January. fishfocus.co.uk · www.news9live.com
- [● 7 SOURCES] The August record is unusual because global ocean temperatures typically peak in March or April. fishfocus.co.uk · k24.digital · www.news9live.com · news.slashdot.org · www.dnoticias.pt · +2 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Global average sea surface temperatures reached a record high of 21.1°C on 22 August. fishfocus.co.uk · k24.digital · www.news9live.com · news.slashdot.org · www.dnoticias.pt · +3 more