The European Copernicus program published this Tuesday, April 23, a study on the oceans and seas bordering the Old Continent. It turns out that their temperature has never been so high.
The observation is terse: “in 2023, the average surface temperature of the seas and oceans across Europe was the hottest ever recorded”, indicated this Tuesday, April 23, the European Copernicus program, responsible for studying the consequences of global warming in the Old Continent.
2023 breaks a record… of 2022
As shown in the graph below, the gap between the average temperature of European seas and oceans in 2023 and that of the second highest value, recorded last year, is particularly high.
The temperature anomaly of European bodies of water in 2023 (difference with the normal for the years 1991-2020) rose to +0.56°C, compared to +0.4°C in 2022. The third the highest value, recorded in 2016, is even lower (+0.26°C).
Note that since 2001, all years except one have seen the temperature of European oceans and seas exceed climatic normals.
Significant marine heat waves
Copernicus indicates in his report that this latent heat materialized in significant waves of marine heat during the summer, which Copernicus describes as “extreme”.
In June, the temperature of the Atlantic off the British Isles was 5°C above normal. In July and August, the temperature of the Mediterranean skyrocketed with, in certain areas, a level 5.5°C higher than normal.
Episodes that are all the more damaging given that, as Copernicus reminds us, “marine heat waves can sometimes have devastating impacts on ocean ecosystems and biodiversity, and can have significant socio-economic impacts, due to their effects. on sectors such as fishing, aquaculture and tourism. »
