August was one of the hottest months ever recorded on Earth. Air temperatures around the world reached very high levels, and the oceans also became warmer than ever before.
one of the hottest months= 「最も〜な…の一つ」を表す最上級表現。後続の複数名詞（months）に注意。
Scientists say that human activity is causing these extreme temperatures. Burning fossil fuels traps heat in the atmosphere and warms the planet.
traps heat in the atmosphere= 「大気中に熱を閉じ込め（逃がさなくし）ている」という意味。温室効果の仕組みを表します。
A natural weather pattern called El Niño is making the heat worse. During El Niño, a part of the Pacific Ocean turns warm and releases large amounts of heat into the air.
releases large amounts of heat= 「大量の熱を放出する」という意味。amount は不可算名詞（heat）の量を表します。
This El Niño pattern is still getting stronger. Because of this, global temperatures could go even higher over the coming year.
over the coming year= 「これからの一年（来年）にかけて」という将来の期間を表す表現。