We already have official confirmation: there is a new temperature record surface water Mediterranean Sea. A few days ago (August 10), the average reached 28.15 degrees Celsius. We emphasize: average. This means that in some places it could have been even warmer – and it was. Such temperatures, about 4 degrees above the long-term average, were recorded on the coasts of Spain, Italy and France.
How intense the sea heat is is well shown by maps published by Scottish meteorologist Scott Duncan. The colors on the maps indicate deviation from the norm – the stronger the red (burgundy or even black), the greater the upward anomaly. The downward deviation, i.e. temperatures below the norm, is blue.
Terrifying heat in the Mediterranean
The data on the marine record was provided by the Spanish meteorological organization CEAM-Meteorología, which focuses on this particular region of the Earth. The measurements show that such a high average daily temperature has not been seen since such measurements have been taken – at least since 1982. As Scott Duncan emphasizes, it is very likely that this record concerns a much longer period of time.
Importantly, we are not talking about an isolated case. Sea heat is becoming a sad summer standard, especially in the last year. 18 out of 20 days with the greatest “water” heat in the Mediterranean occurred in the last 13 months. This period was additionally heated by El Nino phenomenonalthough this is “only” a booster for the ongoing climate change. And El Nino has basically died out, and heat records are still being broken, both at sea and on land.
Because such warm water no longer provides respite for those who would like to cool down during a heatwave with air temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. And this has often been experienced more than once this year by those living and visiting Spain or Italy. High water temperatures also harm marine, plant and animal life. For example, they can lead to changes in the migration patterns of various species, including fish, affecting human food security. The seas and oceans already have to endure a lot – they have already absorbed, according to estimates, 90 percent of the excess heat generated by humanity since the beginning of the industrial era.
Europe is the fastest warming continent. The three warmest years in its history are the last, 2020-2023. This is visible in the very far north, as we write more in this text: This has never happened before. Temperature record in Svalbard. First 20 degrees in August. But it is also a phenomenon that is strongly affecting the European south. The frequency of heat waves in Western Europe is increasing about three times faster than the average for the temperate latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, and their intensity – up to four times faster.
Extreme heat on land
This year's July was the hottest or second hottest in the history of research (there are slight differences in the calculations of researchers from the EU Copernicus and the American NOAA). This means that it at least equaled last year's July, and it also broke records. Mainly due to human-induced climate change. During the heatwaves that took over Europe at that time, many heat records were broken. In 2023, Europe recorded a record number of days with extreme heat stress, and the largest area of Europe in history experienced heat stress assessed as “severe”.
This year, heat waves began exceptionally early in Europe, with the first ones appearing in April. Scientists point out that without climate change, they would be virtually impossible. And it's hard to count on a respite.
In terms of global average temperatures, August is not expected to be warmer than July – the month is generally a bit cooler, and the Pacific Ocean may start to experience a La Nina pattern in late summer or autumn, which can lower average temperatures. However, this does not mean that Europe cannot experience dangerous heatwaves during this time. According to the UK Met Office, Europe is more likely to experience above-average temperatures than below-average temperatures
– says Dr. Aleksandra Kardaś, editor-in-chief of Naukaoklimacie.pl.
– We can also expect a growing threat of heat waves in Europe and Poland in the coming years. If emissions are not reduced, the annual number of days with temperatures above 30°C (which in the 20th century remained at a level of several) will increasingly reach a dozen or so, and over time – several dozen – the expert adds.
Such a wave is happening in Europe right now – it has reached our part of the continent. Local records are being broken almost every day. In the last few dozen hours, in Albania, Bosnia, Romania and Hungary.
The heatwave has reached Poland again. According to IMWM, today almost all over the country temperatures will start with “three” at the front. In addition, severe storms are possible. In the next few days will be similar – maximum significantly above 30 degrees, with a daily average of up to 27 degrees!
A huge challenge for people. And their pockets.
What is happening with the weather and climate is hitting Europeans hard. According to a new study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, last year due to extreme heat in Europe died over 47,000 people. The largest percentage of them was recorded in Greece – 393 deaths per million inhabitants, followed by Bulgaria with 229, Italy with 209 and Spain with 175. Last year's heatwave in the south of the continent would have been virtually impossible if not for the fact that the climate is changing. And globally, every heatwave is now more likely and more intense because of climate change.
Southern Europe is so hot in the summer months that it is increasingly difficult to relax there on holiday. Therefore, the popularity of places located in the north of the continent, even quite far north of Norway or Sweden, is growing. The phenomenon of so-called coolcation (from the English “cool” – cool and “vacation” – holiday) is already irritating local residents, for example the beautiful, almost fairy-tale archipelago of Lofoten. – For us, who live here every day, their beauty was and is obvious, but for tourists hungry for new experiences we have become a desired travel destination. Another holiday whim – tells us Marta Jaroszyńska, who has lived in Lofoten for 14 years. What more do we write about in the text: Cursed coolcation. In Lofoten they've had enough. “We've become another vacation craving.”
The heat is also hitting the economy. According to economic analyseslast year's waves could reduce the GDP of Spain by 1 percentage point (pp), Greece by 0.9 percentage points, Italy by 0.5 percentage points and France by 0.1 percentage points is already clearly felt. And these losses could increase even five-fold by 2060. Heatwaves cause losses in agriculture, which can translate into food prices. In addition, heat poses a huge challenge for the energy sector. It causes disruptions in electricity supplies and significantly increases power consumption. Much more energy is needed to cool buildings – even two or three times more – than to heat them. This hits people affected by energy poverty.
If the concept of energy poverty is associated only with winter and heating, it is high time to verify this view. Summer energy poverty, which is related to cooling a flat or house, is a problem that can no longer be ignored. Temperatures are breaking new records, heat waves are lasting longer – this is no longer an issue that can be solved by buying a fan for the house. This is something that affects the quality of life in many aspects: our health, well-being, as well as routine, e.g. regarding the holiday period.
– says Alicja Piekarz, expert from the Polish Green Network.
He emphasizes that it is particularly important now to adapt cities to function in new extreme climate conditions. – They are particularly exposed to the effects of heat, which are supposed to provide lasting effects. Investing in green and blue infrastructure, energy modernization or integration and education of society will not only allow to combat the causes and alleviate the effects of energy poverty related to cooling buildings, but also to simply function better in the summer – points out Alicja Piekarz.
Additional sources: WMO (World Meteorological Organization), NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), Copernicus, IMWM, AFP.