During the summer of 2024, the temperature in the Mediterranean was exceptionally high. A lighthouse between Nice and Cagnes-sur-Mer, in the Alpes-Maritimes, recorded 30ºC.
Climatologists and biologists increasingly refer to a marine heat wave. This heat wave, increasingly frequent and intenseit is not only perceived on the surface of the water. During his dives, a marine biologist observes daily the consequences of global warming on the marine flora and fauna.
Julien Lopez-Pardoa marine biology technician, assures that “There is a loss of biodiversity, a loss of environmental quality. Environments will have a greater tendency to regress.”
Sea warming influences land
The temperature of the Mediterranean is recorded six times a day. The warming that is observed is worrying, because heat waves at sea also influence the climate on land, where they become the driving force of storms. In autumnwarm sea water condenses and forms clouds. In 2022 temperatures of 30ºC will be recorded. And since the Mediterranean is a closed sea, heats up 20% faster than other masses of water on the planet.
Another oceanographer expert says the warming of the Mediterranean Sea is causing extreme weather events on land. Jean-Pierre Gattusomarine biologist and oceanographer, refers to the warm sea water that condenses and transforms into clouds: “When the clouds rise, we have what we call Mediterranean episodes. In other words, the air suddenly cools and can no longer hold all that moisture. “Suddenly, we have extremely heavy and sudden rain, causing enormous damage!”
He United Nations Environment Program warns that if the Mediterranean region continues to warmmore than 500 million people They will be at risk.
Additional sources • Enrique Barrueco (Voice-over)
