Summer 2023 has etched its name in history books, as scientists reveal that the world’s oceans have reached their highest recorded temperatures. Data from the EU’s Copernicus program shows that the average sea temperature this week rose to 69.72°F (20.96°C), surpassing the previous record of 69.71°F (20.95°C) set in March 2016. The data also reveals a steady increase in average sea temperatures since the 1970s, attributed to the trapping of greenhouse gases and the resulting “bath-like” sensation in the water. Additionally, global air surface temperatures for July 2023 are on track to make it the hottest month ever recorded.
This recent data follows a scorching June and a series of extreme weather events, including heatwaves and wildfires across different regions of the world. The trend of rising sea temperatures has been consistent since the late 1970s, as depicted by a time series plot of global sea surface temperature over the years. While air surface temperatures are typically the main focus when considering temperature rises, ocean temperatures serve as important indicators as well.
The Copernicus climate change monitoring program attributes these worrying statistics to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Carlo Buontempo, director of the Copernicus climate change service, states that “anthropogenic emissions are ultimately the main driver of these rising temperatures.” As Earth’s oceans act as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, warmer oceans become less effective in this process, leading to increased levels of CO2 in the atmosphere. This contributes to the greenhouse effect and further exacerbates climate change. The consequences of warmer oceans extend beyond this, including increased evaporation, resulting in heavier rainfalls and flooding.
Furthermore, warmer oceans pose a threat to marine life, particularly coral reefs. The rising acidity of warmer oceans can dissolve the calcium carbonate shells and skeletons of corals and clams, while elevated temperatures cause a process called bleaching, turning corals white. Recent reports highlighted ocean temperatures off the Florida coast reaching “hot tub-like” temperatures of 97°F (36°C), which can cause considerable damage to fragile coral reefs. Dr. Kathryn Lesneski, a marine biologist, described the water as feeling like a bath and highlighted the current widespread coral bleaching and coral deaths in Florida.
Global air surface temperatures for July 2023 have already broken records, with four consecutive days surpassing the previous record average of 62.2°F (16.8°C) set in August 2016. The hottest day in July reached an average of 62.7°F (17.08°C), with values on surrounding days barely deviating from this record. The European Union stresses that these figures represent global averages and are lower than individual “hot” temperature readings. Nevertheless, the unusually high average indicates the severity of the situation.
The available data for the first 23 days of July shows that the global mean surface air temperature reached 62.5°F (16.95°C), surpassing the full-month record of 61.9°F (16.63°C) set in July 2019, which is currently the hottest month on record. Experts from Copernicus and the World Meteorological Organization anticipate that July 2023 will set a new record as the hottest month, once they have accumulated data for the entire month.
These alarming temperature trends are a result of fossil fuel use and the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to experts. Professor Petteri Taalas, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization, emphasizes that mitigating climate change is not a luxury but a necessity. UN chief Antonio Guterres goes further, declaring that the era of global warming is over and the era of global boiling has commenced. He emphasizes the urgency for leaders to take action and commit to carbon neutrality to prevent the worst outcomes.
The destructive impacts of climate change should inspire action rather than despair, Guterres states, urging humanity to turn a year of burning heat into a year of burning ambition. The coming Climate Ambition Summit in September will serve as a platform for developed and emerging economies to reaffirm their commitment to carbon neutrality. It is clear that immediate action is required to address the escalating crisis and secure a sustainable future.
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