July 2023 marked the hottest month on record for the world’s oceans, coinciding with unprecedented heatwaves across Europe that have resulted in thousands of excess deaths. The alarming rise in temperatures is attributed to both climate change and natural phenomena.

According to recent findings, global sea surface temperatures reached an unprecedented average of 20.96 °C in July, surpassing the previous record of 20.89 °C set just a year earlier. The most significant increases were observed along the Atlantic coast and western Mediterranean, as well as in the tropical Pacific, largely influenced by the El Niño climate pattern.

In tandem with rising ocean temperatures, western Europe has experienced record-breaking air temperatures this summer, with regions such as France, Spain, England, and Ireland seeing averages 2.79 °C above normal. This extreme heat has led to a staggering estimated 11,900 excess deaths in Germany alone, highlighting the severe impact of the ongoing heatwave.

While eastern Europe and Scandinavia recorded lower temperatures, the overall July average sea surface air temperature remained 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. Experts warn that the persistent heat is extending the wildfire season across Europe, contributing to increased smoke and deteriorating air quality, which poses further health risks to the population.