UK and Ireland suffer one of the most severe marine heatwaves on Earth
New ScientistJun 06, 2023
Scientists: Extreme Marine Heatwave Lurks off UK, Irish Coasts
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Image copyright: 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.
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."
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.
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.
