Copernicus Climate Change Service

The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), part of the European Union's Earth observation program, is a key provider of authoritative climate information. It is currently newsworthy due to its recent reports highlighting unprecedented global ocean warmth. Specifically, C3S data indicates that the world's oceans experienced their hottest June ever observed, with the first half of 2026 marked by sustained and exceptional ocean warmth. This trend is attributed to a combination of factors including El Niño and ongoing climate change. The service's findings are significant as they warn of potential "mass-mortality events" for marine species due to these extreme temperatures, as evidenced by events like the marine heatwave in UK waters. The ongoing monitoring and reporting by Copernicus are crucial for understanding the current state of the climate and predicting future trends.