BRUSSELS: The month of May 2025 has been officially recorded as the second-hottest May in history, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), a key climate-monitoring agency of the European Union. Only May 2024 recorded higher average global temperatures, highlighting the intensifying impact of climate change.
Last month’s global surface temperatures were on average 1.4°C above the pre-industrial period of 1850–1900, when large-scale fossil fuel consumption began. This marks a concerning trend, as the northern hemisphere also experienced its second-warmest spring from March to May.
The second-hottest May included an extreme heatwave in Greenland, setting unprecedented temperature records in the Arctic region. Scientists from C3S warn that while May 2025 did not breach the critical 1.5°C threshold, 21 of the past 22 months did, underlining the planet’s ongoing warming trajectory.
“Whilst this may offer a brief respite for the planet, we do expect the 1.5°C threshold to be exceeded again in the near future due to the continued warming of the climate system,” said C3S Director Carlo Buontempo.
The second-hottest May serves as another stark indicator of the accelerating climate crisis and the urgent need for global mitigation efforts. Climate experts emphasise that reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to cleaner energy sources remain vital to slowing the pace of global warming.