It was reported that the exceptionally high sea surface temperatures recorded on European coasts in July are almost impossible without human-induced climate change. A study by World Weather Attribution (WWA) researchers revealed that climate change significantly increased ocean warming, especially in the Mediterranean.

While the highest sea surface temperatures ever recorded globally for this month were measured in July, record levels were also reached on Europe's Atlantic coasts and in the Western Mediterranean. In the Mediterranean, sea temperatures rose up to 6 degrees above seasonal norms in some places in June.

Temperature Rose 3.1 Degrees in Western Mediterranean

Researchers examined temperatures in the Celtic Sea, the Bay of Biscay and around the Iberian Peninsula, and the Western and Eastern Mediterranean. Observations showed temperature increases of 1.2 degrees in the Celtic region, 1.5 degrees in the Bay of Biscay and around the Iberian Peninsula, 3.1 degrees in the Western Mediterranean, and 2.6 degrees in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Researchers, evaluating observational data and climate models together, attributed approximately 2 degrees of the temperature increase in the Mediterranean to human-induced climate change. This effect was calculated to be 1.4 degrees in the Bay of Biscay and around the Iberian Peninsula, and 1.3 degrees in the Celtic region.

It was determined that climate change increased the likelihood of a similar temperature event occurring in the Celtic region by approximately 30 times. It was concluded that the temperatures measured in the other three regions examined would be almost impossible to occur in a climate where the global temperature was 1.4 degrees lower than today.

Higher Temperatures Possible by End of Century

It is calculated that if the global temperature rises 2.8 degrees above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century, marine heatwaves similar to those experienced in 2026 could occur 1.3 to 1.9 degrees hotter.

WWA warned that marine heatwaves could lead to mass mortalities of corals, sponges, and macroalgae, which could disrupt food chains and affect fish, seabirds, and marine mammals.

Coastal Tourism and Beaches Also at Risk

While warming seas cause some species to migrate further north, they can also change the conditions for fishing and aquaculture. The impacts are not limited to marine ecosystems alone.

According to researchers, high sea surface temperatures can increase humidity and heat stress in coastal areas. Rising risks of waterborne diseases and temporary beach closures due to jellyfish proliferation are also among the possible consequences for tourism.

WWA researchers state that adaptation measures can increase the resilience of coastal areas and ecosystems, but they cannot completely eliminate the ecological impacts resulting from the continued warming of the oceans. Visual: © AA