Global sea surface temperatures reach record high in July
Global sea surface temperatures reached an unprecedented high in July, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service. The average temperature of the upper layer of the world's oceans was recorded at 20.96 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous record set in 2016.
Scientists attribute this warming to a combination of human-induced climate change and the El Niño phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean. The rising temperatures are linked to extreme weather events globally, including record-breaking heat in the United Kingdom and severe droughts across Europe.
In Europe, extreme heat and drought have triggered widespread forest fires and impacted critical infrastructure. Low water levels in countries such as France, Spain, Germany, and the United Kingdom have threatened water supplies and irrigation. Notably, the lack of cooling water led to the shutdown of two coal-fired power plants in Poland and the first-ever shutdown of Hungary's sole nuclear power plant in its 44-year history.
Entities
Ali Ihsaan · Copernicus Climate Change Service · European Union · Maldives · Met Office · Mike Kandian · Mohamed Muizzu · National Career Service · Samantha Burgess · World Bank
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Hungary's only nuclear power plant was shut down for the first time in its 44-year history due to lack of cooling water. novosadska.tv · www.politika.rs
- [● 2 SOURCES] Extreme heat in late June may have caused more than 10,000 deaths in Europe. novosadska.tv · www.politika.rs
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The July temperature exceeded the previous record set in 2016. sun.mv
- [● 3 SOURCES] Global sea surface temperatures reached a record high in July. novosadska.tv · sun.mv · www.politika.rs
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Human activity and the El Niño phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean are primary causes of rising sea temperatures. sun.mv
- [● 2 SOURCES] Low water levels in France, Spain, Germany, and the UK have threatened water supplies and power plants. novosadska.tv · www.politika.rs
- [● 2 SOURCES] The first two summer months of 2026 were 2.79 degrees Celsius warmer than usual. novosadska.tv · www.politika.rs
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The average sea surface temperature in July was 20.96 degrees Celsius. sun.mv