ISLAMABAD: Scientists have confirmed that May 2025 was the second-warmest May ever recorded, with global surface temperatures averaging 1.4°C above pre-industrial levels from 1850-1900.
This alarming increase was driven by ongoing climate change and was marked by an unprecedented heatwave in Greenland, shattering previous temperature records.
May 2025’s temperatures were only surpassed by May 2024, making it the second-hottest May on record worldwide.
Together, these months contributed to the northern hemisphere’s second-warmest March-to-May spring season, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S).
Over the last 22 months, 21 have seen global temperatures exceed the critical 1.5°C threshold set in international climate agreements.
Warnings from Climate Experts
Carlo Buontempo, director of C3S, cautioned that while a slight recent cooling is welcome, the planet is expected to breach the 1.5°C warming limit again soon due to persistent emissions.
This signals an urgent call for governments worldwide to intensify efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and mitigate escalating climate risks.
The trend indicates that climate change will continue to produce extreme weather events with increasing frequency and intensity.
Unprecedented Heat in Arctic Regions
Supporting these findings, the World Weather Attribution group reported that human-induced climate change was responsible for a 3°C temperature rise during a recent heatwave across Iceland and Greenland.
This extreme heat caused significant melting of Greenland’s ice sheet, a critical concern given its contribution to global sea level rise.
These events demonstrate that even the coldest regions of the planet are vulnerable to the impacts of global warming, challenging assumptions about climate safety zones.
