Ocean surface temperatures hit record high

Key Points:

• European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change and Marine Services confirmed record-high global ocean surface temperatures in June, surpassing previous records from 2023 and 2024, signaling escalating climate crisis concerns.
• Carlo Buontempo, director of Copernicus Climate Change Service, warned that with ocean temperatures at these levels and El Niño approaching, more temperature records are likely, potentially pushing the world into "uncharted territory."
• Oceans absorb over 90% of excess heat caused by greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel burning, with rising ocean temperatures exacerbating climate change impacts and highlighting the urgent need to reduce emissions and adapt.
• The record ocean temperatures coincide with extreme heat waves in the U.S. and Europe, causing widespread health risks and excess deaths, with Europe experiencing its fastest warming rate globally and facing frequent "once-in-a-generation" heat waves.
• Experts emphasize the critical importance of monitoring ocean temperatures and implementing climate adaptation strategies to mitigate the worsening effects of global warming.