Record Sea Temperatures in Europe Raise Alarm for Marine Ecosystems

This summer, Europe’s seas have experienced unprecedented heat, primarily due to human-induced climate change, scientists revealed on Wednesday. The Mediterranean reached an alarming average temperature of 27 degrees Celsius in July, while waters near Mallorca soared to a staggering 33 degrees Celsius in early August.

The World Weather Attribution (WWA) group reported that the Mediterranean has warmed by approximately 2 degrees Celsius, with Western European seas experiencing a rise of about 1.4 degrees. These temperature spikes pose serious threats to marine life and coastal communities reliant on these ecosystems. Claire Bergin, a climate scientist from Maynooth University, warned that these changes could drastically reshape habitats and disrupt food sources.

The analysis indicated that the record sea temperatures observed this year would have been nearly impossible without the influence of climate change, with regions like the Celtic Sea experiencing extremes that occur only once a century in an unaltered climate. As seas warm, they contribute to increased humidity and can intensify storms, further endangering coastal regions.

Marine ecologist John Bruno noted that while some species are migrating north in search of cooler waters, many may not adapt in time, approaching their biological limits. Currently, around 90% of the Bay of Biscay and 80% of the western Mediterranean are under marine heatwave conditions, compared to only 40% without global warming.

Source: www.france24.com