The European Copernicus programme has measured the highest temperatures in history at sea: 20,96 celsius degrees on average. The latest brand dates from 2016, with a grade of 20.95. Scientists in the programme have stated that the atmospheric phenomenon of El Niño plays an important role and that in the coming weeks and months the record will be exceeded over and over again, as the highest level of ocean temperature is reached in March.

Samantha Burgess, a member of Copernicus, has stated: “I am concerned that he has now reached those numbers, because who knows how far the temperatures will reach by March.” He denounces that, in addition to the El Niño phenomenon, the use of fossil fuels and the consequent global warming have an impact on ocean warming.

The oceans regulate the temperature of the Earth by absorbing heat and carbon dioxide. But when you heat water, you lose these capacities, you absorb less heat, and the greenhouse gas will go more into the atmosphere. In addition, this causes the melting of polar ice and further increases the ocean level.

According to a 2019 study, marine heat waves are increasingly occurring in the oceans in recent years, increasing by 50% since 2016. Heat waves have a great influence on ocean ecosystems, which end many marine lives.