Climate change

Scientists: Extreme Marine Heatwave Lurks off UK, Irish Coasts

JUN 19 2023·Updated AUG 27

Story

Image credit: Gabriel Barathieu [via Wikimedia Commons]

The Facts

Scientists warn that an “unheard of” marine heatwave off the coasts of the UK and Ireland poses a serious threat to marine species.
guardian
Water temperatures in the North Atlantic Ocean are up to 4°C higher than usual for this time of year, with the US’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) designating the weather event as a "Category 4 Extreme Heatwave."
New Scientist
Daniela Schmidt, a professor of earth sciences at the University of Bristol warned, “In other parts of the world, we have seen several mass mortalities of marine plants and animals caused by ocean heatwaves which have caused hundreds of millions of pounds of losses, in fisheries income, carbon storage, cultural values, and habitat loss.”
TheJournal.ie
A recent report from the World Meteorological Organization and the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service warns that Europe could experience an increase in climate change-driven extreme heat events, finding that the continent was 2.3°C hotter last year than in the pre-industrial era.
TheJournal.ie
The Met Office said global sea surface temperatures soared in April and May to an all-time high going back to 1850, with temperatures likely to remain high due to the emerging El Niño weather phenomenon.
guardian

Sources Split

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The Spin

Narrative A

The extreme weather of this marine heatwave shows the destructive power of human-caused climate change. If this continues throughout the summer, many species of marine life off the coasts of Ireland and England may die.

TheJournal.ie

Narrative B

While hot waters off the coasts of Ireland and England may lead to marine life die-offs, they may also potentially cause an influx of basking sharks and stingrays. The marine ecosystem may adjust but there is a possibility of more biodiversity being brought into the region as patterns shift.

The Telegraph