European coastal waters experienced unprecedented sea surface temperatures in July 2026, with a new study by World Weather Attribution (WWA) identifying human-induced climate change as the main driver. This warming pushed marine ecosystems beyond their limits.
WWA scientists found that sea surface temperatures across the Celtic Sea, Bay of Biscay and Iberian Peninsula, and the Mediterranean averaged 2.4° Celsius (4.3° Fahrenheit) warmer than historical July baselines. Specific regions like the Celtic Sea were 1.9°C (3.4°F) above normal, and the Eastern Mediterranean was 2°C (3.6°F) hotter. The study’s rapid attribution analysis indicates that burning fossil fuels directly caused this extreme warmth, noting that such temperatures would have been virtually impossible in a preindustrial climate.
Source: Mongabay