Europe's Temperature Record Shows No Sign of Cooling Down
Scientists monitoring Europe have made a sobering assessment: 2025 is almost certain to be the second- or third-hottest year in recorded history. The European Union's Copernicus climate data, which tracks global temperatures from January to November, reveals that average temperatures this year are running at an astonishing 1.48 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
The alarming trend is part of a broader pattern of accelerating climate change, which has pushed the planet further away from the stable conditions in which humans evolved. World leaders have pledged to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by the end of this century, but the latest data suggests that meeting this goal is slipping further away.
According to Dr Samantha Burgess, deputy director of Copernicus Climate Change Service, November's temperatures were a scorching 1.54 degrees above average – the third-warmest month globally so far. The year-to-year temperature anomaly has been running at an identical level to that in 2023, which is already the second-hottest year on record.
The reasons behind this trend are clear: the blanket of carbon pollution enveloping the Earth has strengthened weather extremes from heatwaves to heavy rains, pushing temperatures higher and more unpredictably. Warming El Niño conditions boosted global temperatures during 2023 and 2024, only to be overtaken by weakly cooling La Niña conditions in 2025.
The accelerating pace of climate change is reflected not just in temperature records but also in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that if current trends continue, the past decade will have been the warmest on record, with some years potentially rivaling or even surpassing the 2024 record.
While there is still a glimmer of hope for meeting the Paris Agreement's goals, scientists warn that the pace of greenhouse gas emissions remains alarming. The WMO secretary general, Prof Celeste Saulo, described the situation as "not on track" to meet these targets, citing additional climate indicators that sounded alarm bells in 2025.
As the world grapples with the consequences of climate change, it is clear that reducing carbon emissions and mitigating warming's impacts will require urgent and collective action.
Scientists monitoring Europe have made a sobering assessment: 2025 is almost certain to be the second- or third-hottest year in recorded history. The European Union's Copernicus climate data, which tracks global temperatures from January to November, reveals that average temperatures this year are running at an astonishing 1.48 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
The alarming trend is part of a broader pattern of accelerating climate change, which has pushed the planet further away from the stable conditions in which humans evolved. World leaders have pledged to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by the end of this century, but the latest data suggests that meeting this goal is slipping further away.
According to Dr Samantha Burgess, deputy director of Copernicus Climate Change Service, November's temperatures were a scorching 1.54 degrees above average – the third-warmest month globally so far. The year-to-year temperature anomaly has been running at an identical level to that in 2023, which is already the second-hottest year on record.
The reasons behind this trend are clear: the blanket of carbon pollution enveloping the Earth has strengthened weather extremes from heatwaves to heavy rains, pushing temperatures higher and more unpredictably. Warming El Niño conditions boosted global temperatures during 2023 and 2024, only to be overtaken by weakly cooling La Niña conditions in 2025.
The accelerating pace of climate change is reflected not just in temperature records but also in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that if current trends continue, the past decade will have been the warmest on record, with some years potentially rivaling or even surpassing the 2024 record.
While there is still a glimmer of hope for meeting the Paris Agreement's goals, scientists warn that the pace of greenhouse gas emissions remains alarming. The WMO secretary general, Prof Celeste Saulo, described the situation as "not on track" to meet these targets, citing additional climate indicators that sounded alarm bells in 2025.
As the world grapples with the consequences of climate change, it is clear that reducing carbon emissions and mitigating warming's impacts will require urgent and collective action.
... I mean, I really don't think we are 
. The fact that temperatures are already at 1.48 degrees above pre-industrial levels is pretty scary, but maybe it's just a natural fluctuation? 
I've seen some pretty wild weather patterns in my life, and I'm convinced that there must be some other factor at play here... like, have you considered the role of ocean currents? 
... or is it just too complicated for me to wrap my head around? 
...
And have you seen the news about renewable energy growth lately? It's like we're finally on the right track to reduce those greenhouse gas emissions... or are we just delaying the inevitable? 
climate change is real and it's only going to get worse if we don't do something about it ASAP. 1.5 degrees Celsius is not a lot of room for error, especially considering how sensitive our planet is to temperature changes. I remember reading about El Niño and La Niña conditions, sounds like they're playing a big role in making this year's temperatures so hot. we need world leaders to step up their game and take real action against climate change 
. This temp record in Europe is insane! 1.48 degrees above pre-industrial levels? That's just crazy talk 
. And it's not like we're seeing a one-off anomaly, nope, this is the norm now. I mean, even if we manage to limit warming to 1.5 degrees, which is still super doubtful at this point 
. I'm not a climate expert or anything, but even I know that carbon emissions aren't going anywhere anytime soon... it's all about our collective future 
. It's heartbreaking to think that they might not get to experience a childhood with snowfall or Christmas tree decorations that don't need a space heater 
. We need to start taking real action now, not just talking about it 
. As a parent, it's hard to see the impact of climate change on my own kids and what they'll face in their 20s and 30s 
. It's time for us all to step up and make some changes, starting with our own families 
.
the thought of a world where we're already at 1.48 degrees above pre-industrial levels is heartbreaking... what even are we doing to our planet?! 
it's not just about saving the polar bears, it's about human survival too... have you seen those images of super intense heatwaves and wildfires lately? 
they're terrifying... we need world leaders and everyone else to step up and take action NOW 
. I remember when I was a kid, my grandma used to tell me stories about how the weather changed over time - stronger winds, longer summers... it all felt like just myths back then 
. But now I see the reality of climate change and it's heartbreaking. Every summer feels like an eternity, and I'm always checking if there's a heatwave warning 
. It's not just about us humans; our planet is crying out for help 
The thought of meeting the 1.5°C goal by 2030 feels like a pipe dream at this point 
. Can we do it? I hope so, for our future and for the future of our planet 
We need to cut emissions, fast 
. Can't keep relying on "hope" and "action plans". Show me some actual progress, or else... 
And it's not just Europe, the whole world is feeling the heat 
. Meeting that 1.5 degree goal by 2100 is like, a pipe dream at this rate 
or else we're looking at some seriously wild weather events 
.
gotta take these scientists seriously, 1.5 degrees is a tiny margin but the stakes are too high... what if we don't make it? 
, can you even believe it?! Europe's temp record just dropped and it's like WHOA 
.
! Reducing carbon emissions and mitigating warming's impacts is our only hope 
... but I just read about Europe's temp record and I have to say, 1.48 degrees above pre-industrial levels is straight up crazy 
. And with WMO warning us that the past decade will have been the warmest on record... it's like, what even is the point anymore?
.
Plus, think of all the jobs created in the solar panel industry - that's gotta be worth something, right? And let's not forget, we can just move to the Arctic if it gets too hot here. I heard some island is having a heatwave festival this year... sounds like a blast! 
! It's not just temperature records that are a concern, but also extreme weather events – heavy rains, heatwaves, whatever... it's all happening more often.
? It's like, come on! We've got climate scientists screaming at us that the clock is ticking and still nobody's doing anything 
and the fact that we're already on track to have another super hot year is just, like, so not what we need right now.
we're not even close to meeting our goals of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels... it's like, we're basically giving up already.