The UK experiences its hottest recorded sea surface temperatures amid prolonged marine heatwaves, prompting new exhibitions at the Sainsbury Centre to raise awareness and inspire action on preserving marine ecosystems amid escalating climate challenges.
In recent months, the UK has been experiencing an exceptional marine heatwave, contributing to record-breaking sea surface temperatures. In May 2023, temperatures were reported to be approximately 1.6°C above the 1961-1990 average, marking the warmest May since records began in 1850. Some regions, particularly in the North Atlantic, have shown anomalies of up to four degrees higher than normal, raising alarms among scientists about the long-term impacts on marine ecosystems.
This marine heatwave, classified as “moderate” in parts of the East coast and “extreme” elsewhere, has extended significantly beyond the expected duration. Such prolonged warmth, defined as marine heatwaves wherein temperatures exceed seasonal thresholds for more than five consecutive days, has persisted for weeks. With historical temperature data suggesting these conditions have not been recorded in 45 years, there is an urgent focus on how rising sea temperatures impact marine life, especially regarding breeding patterns and ecosystem balance.
The consequences of such heat anomalies are likely to include harmful algal blooms and increased jellyfish populations, which can disrupt local marine environments. These alarming shifts are attributed largely to human-induced climate change, with scientists warning that these heatwaves will become more frequent and intense in the future. As highlighted by experts, the pivotal question remains: can our seas endure the ongoing impact of human activity?
This question is at the core of the Sainsbury Centre’s latest initiative, “Can the Seas Survive Us?”, which features a series of exhibitions aimed at raising awareness about the interconnectedness of climate change and marine health. The programme includes three concurrent exhibitions – “A World of Water”, “Darwin in Paradise Camp: Yuki Kihara”, and “Sea Inside.” Running until October 26, 2025, the exhibitions draw attention to the urgent need for collective action to mitigate the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems.
In a recent interview with artist Josh Kline, featured in the Sainsbury Centre’s Channel, he boldly stated, “Human beings will have to adapt to a more dangerous world with higher seas, more fires, and less arable land.” Kline’s work, which imagines dystopian futures affected by rising waters, reflects the harsh reality scientists now accept: radical climate change is unavoidable.
Moving forward, the Sainsbury Centre’s exhibitions not only spotlight the challenges facing our oceans but also seek to inspire action to restore marine habitats. As the discussions surrounding climate change intensify, the artworks presented offer a unique lens through which to view the relationship between humanity and the marine world. The message is clear: urgent action is required to foster a future where sea life can coexist with the realities of climate change, challenging us to rethink how we interact with our planet’s most vital resources.
The Sainsbury Centre’s programme invites visitors to engage with these themes critically, considering how our choices can influence the future of marine ecosystems. As global temperatures continue to rise, the question remains central: how can we harness this awareness to inspire meaningful change in our relationship with the seas?
Reference Map:
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/25212982.sainsbury-centre-explores-whether-seas-can-survive-us/?ref=rss – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/blog/2023/may-2023-a-record-for-uk-sea-surface-temperature-says-met-office-chief-scientist – In May 2023, the UK experienced record-breaking sea-surface temperatures, with readings approximately 1.60°C above the 1961-1990 average. This marked the warmest May since 1850, with parts of the North Atlantic, including areas around the UK, exhibiting significantly higher temperatures than average. The Met Office highlighted that these anomalies were particularly notable in the eastern Atlantic, from Iceland down to the tropics, and around parts of north-western Europe, including the UK. The data underscores the ongoing trend of rising sea temperatures in the region.
- https://www.sainsburycentre.ac.uk/whats-on/can-the-seas-survive-us/ – The Sainsbury Centre’s ‘Can the Seas Survive Us?’ exhibition, running from 15 March to 26 October 2025, explores the impact of human activities on marine ecosystems. The programme features three concurrent exhibitions: ‘A World of Water’, ‘Darwin in Paradise Camp: Yuki Kihara’, and ‘Sea Inside’. These exhibitions aim to raise awareness about the challenges facing our oceans due to climate change and human intervention, emphasising the importance of collective action to restore marine habitats.
- https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/13/can-the-seas-survive-us-sainsburys-centre-norwich-art-exhibition-rising-seas-climate – The Guardian’s article discusses the Sainsbury Centre’s ‘Can the Seas Survive Us?’ exhibition, highlighting its focus on the rising seas and climate change. The exhibition comprises three shows: ‘A World of Water’, ‘Darwin in Paradise Camp: Yuki Kihara’, and ‘Sea Inside’. It features works by artists like Yuki Kihara, who reimagines Paul Gauguin’s paintings using Fa’afafine models, and Maggi Hambling, known for her painting ‘Wall of Water VIII’. The exhibition aims to raise awareness about the impact of climate change on marine life.
- https://www.ft.com/content/76c3747d-f068-467a-98f9-4ed687dcb575 – The Financial Times article reports on the unprecedented rise in global sea surface temperatures, reaching record highs and remaining elevated for the past 15 months. This unusual warming has led to marine heatwaves, melting sea ice, and concerns among scientists. The article attributes the warming to global climate change and the El Niño-Southern Oscillation phenomenon, with the recent El Niño phase prompting significant temperature increases globally. The situation has resulted in widespread coral bleaching and disrupted marine ecosystems, with serious repercussions for global weather patterns and sea levels.
- https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jun/19/marine-heatwave-uk-irish-coasts-threat-oysters-fish-high-temperatures – The Guardian reports on an unprecedented marine heatwave off the coasts of the UK and Ireland, with sea temperatures several degrees above normal, posing a serious threat to marine life. The North Sea and North Atlantic are experiencing higher temperatures, with parts of the North Sea classified as a Category 4 ‘extreme’ marine heatwave by NOAA. The Met Office indicates that these elevated temperatures are likely to persist due to the emerging El Niño weather phenomenon, raising concerns about the impact on marine ecosystems and fisheries.
- https://www.sainsburycentre.ac.uk/whats-on/a-world-of-water/ – The Sainsbury Centre’s ‘A World of Water’ exhibition, running from 15 March to 3 August 2025, brings together works by British and international artists from the last 250 years, offering unique perspectives on evolving marine ecosystems and oceanic habitats. The exhibition aims to highlight the human impact on the sea and encourages visitors to understand the complexity of sea and marine life, while promoting a collective, global effort to mitigate the impacts of climate change and support action to restore marine ecosystems.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references the Sainsbury Centre’s ‘Can the Seas Survive Us?’ exhibition, which runs from 15 March to 26 October 2025. The exhibition’s announcement was made in March 2025, and the article was published in June 2025, indicating recent and original content. However, the article includes information about the exhibition’s schedule and details that have been publicly available since March 2025. Additionally, the article discusses a marine heatwave in May 2023, which is historical information. Therefore, while the article is recent, it combines both current and historical information. The inclusion of updated data on the exhibition’s schedule may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([sainsburycentre.ac.uk](https://www.sainsburycentre.ac.uk/whats-on/can-the-seas-survive-us/?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article includes a quote from artist Josh Kline: ‘Human beings will have to adapt to a more dangerous world with higher seas, more fires, and less arable land.’ A search reveals that this quote has been used in earlier materials, indicating potential reuse. The wording of the quote matches exactly, suggesting it has been directly reused. Therefore, this quote appears to be recycled content.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Eastern Daily Press (EDP), a regional newspaper in the UK. While it is a reputable source, it is not as widely recognised as national outlets like the BBC or The Guardian. The article references information from the Met Office and the Sainsbury Centre, both credible institutions. However, the article’s reliance on a single regional source and the inclusion of recycled content from other sources may affect its overall reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article discusses a marine heatwave in May 2023, with sea surface temperatures approximately 1.6°C above the 1961-1990 average, marking the warmest May since records began in 1850. This claim aligns with reports from the Met Office, which stated that May 2023 was the warmest May on record in the UK. The article also mentions the Sainsbury Centre’s ‘Can the Seas Survive Us?’ exhibition, which is scheduled to run from 15 March to 26 October 2025. This exhibition is confirmed by the Sainsbury Centre’s official website. However, the article includes a quote from artist Josh Kline that appears to be recycled from earlier materials, which may affect the originality of the content.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative combines recent information about the Sainsbury Centre’s ‘Can the Seas Survive Us?’ exhibition with historical data on a marine heatwave from May 2023. While the exhibition details are current, the inclusion of recycled content, such as the quote from artist Josh Kline, raises concerns about originality. The reliance on a single regional source and the presence of recycled content suggest that the narrative may not be entirely original. Therefore, the overall assessment is ‘OPEN’ with a medium confidence level.
