The record-breaking temperatures are having widespread impacts on ecosystems, economies, and communities worldwide. In Western Europe, the summer of 2026 was the hottest on record, surpassing 2003, and was marked by persistent and intense heatwaves. These conditions fueled devastating wildfires and caused significant disruptions to water supplies, irrigation, and energy production due to low water levels in major rivers. In the United States, the summer of 2026 was the warmest on record, surpassing previous records set in 1936 and 2021. The combination of El Niño and human-driven climate change is exacerbating these extreme weather events, posing significant risks to public health, agriculture, and infrastructure.