August was Earth's hottest month, European climate agency finds

August 2026 marked a grim milestone as Earth experienced its hottest month on record, surpassing previous records by a significant margin. This alarming trend is attributed to the combined forces of human-induced climate change and a powerful El Niño event. The findings from the European climate service Copernicus highlight the urgent need for global action to mitigate climate change impacts, as these record temperatures underscore the escalating risks to ecosystems and human health. This unprecedented heat signals a critical turning point that demands immediate and sustained efforts to address environmental degradation.