OMM Redaksiyası
The Arctic is undergoing rapid change as marine heat waves reach record levels in European seas, according to a report released on Wednesday by the European Union’s Copernicus Marine Service.
Rising ocean temperatures are driving major changes across the world’s seas, affecting marine ecosystems, coastal communities and economies, the report said.
Arctic sea ice decline
The Arctic was identified as one of the regions experiencing the most significant changes. Its sea-ice extent fell by about 490,000 square kilometres per decade between 1979 and 2025—an area roughly the size of Spain.
The loss of sea ice has contributed to increased wind and wave activity. About 60% of Arctic coastal infrastructure is vulnerable to erosion and rising sea levels, according to the report.
Record heat in European seas
The report also recorded exceptionally high temperatures in European regional seas. The Mediterranean and Black seas experienced record marine heat waves in 2024, with temperatures more than 4.6 degrees Celsius above normal.
Global sea levels have continued to rise, with the average rate reaching about 4.2 millimetres per year since 2012, the report said.
