Climate change main driver of European ocean warming

Europe's rising ocean temperatures are primarily caused by climate change, according to a recent study. The research, conducted by scientists at the University of Bern in Switzerland and the World Weather Attribution group, found that human-induced global warming has added around 2°C of warming to Mediterranean seas and over 1.3°C to 1.4°C to Western European waters this summer.

The study, led by environmental physicist Thomas Frolicher, revealed that climate change is directly responsible for the surge in sea temperatures across Europe's oceans, from the Atlantic waters off Ireland to the Mediterranean. By combining observational data with climate model simulations, the researchers estimated the impact of climate change on marine temperatures.

The increase in ocean temperatures has severe ecological consequences, leading to species shifting towards cooler waters, disrupting food chains, and affecting coastal fisheries and aquaculture. Higher sea surface temperatures also result in increased humidity in coastal areas, raising the risk of extreme heat events.

Marine ecologist John Bruno highlighted that even small temperature increases can be lethal for marine organisms. Coral reefs, for instance, are especially vulnerable, with a mere 1°C rise causing significant damage.

According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, ocean temperatures reached record highs for two consecutive months in July. Marine heatwaves have spread across a larger portion of European regions, with 90% of the Bay of Biscay and Iberian coast region and 80% of the Western Mediterranean experiencing these extreme events this year. Without human-caused warming, only around 40% of these areas would have been affected.

While warmer waters may seem appealing to beachgoers, the study's co-author, Claire Bergin, emphasized that the impacts on marine life beneath the surface are far more serious.