In the past 15 months global sea surface temperatures have surged to unprecedented levels, fuelling heatwaves and accelerated the melting of sea ice, alarming scientists and environmentalists alike. These record-high temperatures in the north Atlantic waters, particularly around the UK and Ireland, were described as “beyond extreme” last year by the EU’s Earth observation service. And if anything, this year’s temperatures are even higher. June marked the fifteenth consecutive month of record-breaking global sea temperatures. Forecasters warn that the unusually warm waters could lead to an exce…