Global May Temperatures Hit Second-Hottest on Record, Driving European Droughts

May 2025 was the second-warmest May on record globally, with average surface temperatures 1.4°C above pre-industrial levels, just below the record set in May 2024, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). This exceptional warmth coincided with drought and water shortages in north-western Europe, where May saw the lowest precipitation since 1979, raising concerns about crop failures and resource management. Human-induced climate change has made heatwaves in regions such as Greenland and Iceland about 3°C hotter, accelerating ice melt and highlighting that even traditionally cold areas are experiencing unprecedented temperatures. Despite a brief month below the 1.5°C threshold—a critical limit set by the Paris Agreement—scientists warn that this respite is temporary, and global temperatures are expected to exceed this level again soon. The ongoing warming is driven primarily by greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, with last year being the hottest on record and projections indicating continued increases that could lead to devastating impacts on ecosystems, sea levels, and extreme weather. These findings underscore the urgency for global and regional efforts to implement sustainable practices and accelerate emissions reductions to mitigate climate risks.