Scientific American: Earth’s oceans just hit their hottest temperature ever

The previous high of 21.09 C (69.96 F) occurred in March 2024. From the report:

Average ocean temperatures hit a record 21.10 degrees Celsius (69.98 degrees Fahrenheit) on August 22, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S).

That’s not as hot as a warm bath, but it is the hottest the world’s oceans have been since C3S started keeping records in 1979.

“As a climate scientist, this is not surprising to me all,” says Zachary Labe, a climate scientist at Climate Central, a climate research nonprofit. “It’s consistent with decades of research showing how our climate is changing as the planet warms. And without reductions in the burning of fossil fuels, this warming will only continue.”

Link.