Last month was the second-warmest May ever recorded globally, continuing a relentless streak of extreme temperatures that has now stretched for a full year. Data released by the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service confirms that global average temperatures for the past 12 months have consistently hit record highs, underscoring a rapid shift in the planet’s climate baseline.
The numbers are stark. Global temperatures in May were 1.52 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average. While this remains slightly below the record set in May 2016, it marks the twelfth month in a row where the global average temperature has exceeded or equaled the 1.5-degree threshold—a critical limit set by the 2015 Paris Agreement to prevent the most catastrophic effects of climate change.
“It’s shocking but not surprising,” said Carlo Buontempo, director of the Copernicus service. He noted that the persistent nature of these anomalies is what concerns researchers most. While natural weather patterns like El Niño contribute to the heat, the sheer duration of this streak points to a deeper, human-driven systemic change.
The heat isn’t just a statistic; it’s being felt in the form of severe weather disruptions. From heatwaves scorching parts of India to devastating floods in Brazil, the meteorological data aligns with the lived reality of millions. Scientists are now observing an acceleration in the rate of temperature rise that exceeds earlier climate models, leaving policymakers scrambling to adjust their mitigation strategies.
The implications for the coming year remain uncertain. El Niño—the phenomenon that warms the Pacific and pushes global temperatures higher—is currently transitioning into its cooler counterpart, La Niña. Some climate experts suggest this could offer a slight reprieve, potentially breaking the streak of monthly records.
