Driving the news: In early April, the global ocean surface temperature reached a record-breaking 21.1°C (approximately 70°F), surpassing the previous record of 21.0°C set in 2016. 

• The Climate Reanalyzer, a tool from the University of Maine's Climate Change Institute, recorded this daily Sea Surface Temperature from April 1 to April 6.

Why it matters for the planet: Warming ocean surface temperatures hurts food webs and marine ecosystems. Already, the global population of marine species has declined by an average of 50% since the 1970s (WWF)

• Additionally, higher temperatures could increase flooding in the US Gulf Coast and southeastern regions.

What’s next: Record temperatures may signal the end of La Niña and the onset of El Niño, a climate pattern affecting global temperatures and weather.

• With La Niña, the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions and global warming are often subdued, making surface temperatures cooler.
• "We are likely seeing the climate change signal coming through loud and clear," said Mike McPhaden, a senior research scientist at NOAA.

One stat: The average surface temperature of the world's seas has increased by around 0.9C compared to preindustrial levels, with 0.6C coming in the last 40 years alone (source: IPCC).

Click for more on global warming

Thank you for taking the time to read our content. We are committed to improving and expanding this format and would greatly appreciate any feedback you have to share!