Scientists have recorded the highest temperature ever measured in the world’s oceans. Dr. Samantha Burgess from the European Copernicus climate change service stated that the record is another clear signal of an ocean under growing stress.
According to Europe's Earth observation agency Copernicus, the global average sea-surface temperature outside polar regions hit a record 21.1 degrees Celsius on Saturday, August 22.
The record temperatures are the result of climate change combining with a powerful El Niño in the tropical Pacific. This is an unusual occurrence, as Copernicus noted that global ocean temperatures are typically highest in March and April.