PARIS — May 2025 was the second-warmest May ever recorded on both land and sea, according to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. Although global temperatures dipped slightly, Earth was still 1.4°C above pre-industrial levels—just under the 1.5°C Paris Agreement threshold.

Ocean surface temperatures hit 20.79°C, with record heat in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean. These marine heatwaves are stressing ecosystems, disrupting species, and reducing nutrient circulation.

Parts of Europe faced extreme drought, with the UK, Denmark, and the Netherlands experiencing unusually dry conditions. While May 2025 offered a slight break from 22 straight months above 1.5°C, scientists warn the trend will continue, highlighting the urgent need for climate action.