{
  "id": 6533055,
  "title": "August was hottest month ever recorded globally, scientists say",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/august-was-hottest-month-ever-recorded-globally-scientists-say",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-10T03:25:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3366992/august-was-hottest-month-ever-recorded-globally-scientists-say"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Copernicus Climate Change Service announced on Thursday that August 2025 was the hottest month ever recorded globally, with ocean temperatures also reaching record highs. Western Europe experienced its warmest summer on record. Global average air temperatures in August reached 16.96 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous record set in July 2023 by just 0.01 degree. This finding confirms that humans have never witnessed such temperatures for at least the last 100,000 years, according to Samantha Burgess from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. The UN climate chief, Simon Stiell, emphasized that the evidence is \"irrefutable\" and highlighted the spiralling price of humanity's fossil fuel addiction, driving the global climate crisis. Ocean heatwaves extended for a third consecutive month, and the effects on marine life, reefs, and coastal communities were severe. The increased heat has been absorbed by the oceans, sparing land but causing significant harm to marine ecosystems. Moreover, August marked the end of western Europe's warmest summer, surpassing the record set in 2003. The continent experienced severe, consecutive heatwaves in June to August that led to schools closing, rivers drying up, and heightened wildfire risks. It is estimated that over 32,000 excess deaths occurred across Europe during this period. Scientists warn that these record-breaking months will continue as \"super\" El Nino, which often brings a temporary spike in global temperatures, approaches peak intensity around December. The following years, including 2026, are also expected to become the hottest years ever observed.",
  "summary": "The EU’s climate monitor said on Thursday that August was the hottest single month ever recorded globally, with ocean temperatures also reaching unprecedented highs as western Europe capped its warmest summer. In response to the assessment by the Copernicus Climate Change Service, the UN warned that until humanity weaned off fossil fuels, the planet would only push deeper into uncharted…",
  "key_points": [
    "August 2025 recorded as hottest month globally",
    "Ocean temperatures reached record highs",
    "Western Europe experienced warmest summer on record"
  ],
  "editors_take": "This record-breaking heat confirms the severe and lasting impact of humanity's reliance on fossil fuels, driving the global climate crisis and sparking devastating effects on marine ecosystems and human populations.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}