Europe’s Seas Are Burning: Carbon Pollution Makes Ocean Heatwaves 100 Times More Likely
Europe’s oceans are in crisis mode this summer, with human-caused carbon pollution making extreme marine heatwaves up to 100 times more likely in some regions. New analysis shows that what used to be a once-in-a-century event is now a regular threat, with waters in the Celtic region around the British Isles reaching temperatures that would have been virtually impossible without climate change [222640]. The heat is pushing marine ecosystems to the brink, disrupting fisheries, and intensifying pressure on coastal communities already struggling with record air temperatures [222570].
According to a study by World Weather Attribution, the hottest two-week periods this year would have been "virtually impossible" in a preindustrial climate in three of the four sea regions examined [222640]. In the Celtic region, which covers much of the water around the British Isles, the heat reached levels that used to occur only once every 100 years—now, that same level of heat is a near-certainty due to carbon pollution [222640]. Some waters have spiked at 6C above normal, a "massive expansion" of marine heatwaves that scientists say is fundamentally altering the ocean [222640].
The extreme temperatures are not just a number on a chart. They are putting severe pressure on marine life, disrupting fish populations, and adding heat stress to coastal cities that are already dealing with deadly heatwaves on land [222570]. The warming waters also threaten the fishing industry, which depends on stable ocean conditions to sustain stocks [222570]. Researchers warn that unless emissions are cut rapidly, these conditions will become more frequent and severe, leaving the region's seas and the communities that rely on them in a state of permanent emergency [222640][222570].