The Earth's climate is further out of balance than at any time in recorded history, the UN's weather agency has warned. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) states that our planet is absorbing much more heat energy than it can release, with emissions of warming gases such as carbon dioxide driving this alarming trend.
This energy imbalance contributed to record ocean temperatures last year while accelerating the melting of Earth's ice caps. Scientists express concerns that the anticipated natural warming phase called El Niño, expected to commence later this year, may exacerbate these issues by pushing temperatures to new records.
In a recent address, UN Secretary General António Guterres reiterated the urgent need for countries to transition away from fossil fuels in favor of renewable energy sources to ensure climate security, energy security, and national security. Planet Earth is being pushed beyond its limits. Every key climate indicator is flashing red, he declared.
The WMO reported that the last 11 years have marked the warmest years on record since 1850, with global average air temperatures about 1.43°C above pre-industrial levels. A temporary cooling from the La Niña weather pattern resulted in 2025 being slightly cooler compared to the more extreme heat driven by the El Niño phase in 2024.
Despite this, 2025 ranked as one of the three warmest years on record. The WMO confirms that levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are at their highest for at least two million years, largely due to human activities.
Furthermore, over 90% of the additional heat captured by greenhouse gases is stored in oceans, causing a range of adverse effects on marine life and climate, including intense storms and rising sea levels. As the upper layers of the ocean reach unprecedented warmth, climate scientists such as Prof. Celeste Saulo of the WMO warn about the long-lasting consequences of human-induced climate disruption.
The report additionally highlights the impacts of rising temperatures on extreme weather events, as witnessed in various regions of the globe experiencing severe heatwaves and unusual climate patterns. These developments elevate the urgency for immediate action to combat climate change and mitigate its most severe impacts.
This energy imbalance contributed to record ocean temperatures last year while accelerating the melting of Earth's ice caps. Scientists express concerns that the anticipated natural warming phase called El Niño, expected to commence later this year, may exacerbate these issues by pushing temperatures to new records.
In a recent address, UN Secretary General António Guterres reiterated the urgent need for countries to transition away from fossil fuels in favor of renewable energy sources to ensure climate security, energy security, and national security. Planet Earth is being pushed beyond its limits. Every key climate indicator is flashing red, he declared.
The WMO reported that the last 11 years have marked the warmest years on record since 1850, with global average air temperatures about 1.43°C above pre-industrial levels. A temporary cooling from the La Niña weather pattern resulted in 2025 being slightly cooler compared to the more extreme heat driven by the El Niño phase in 2024.
Despite this, 2025 ranked as one of the three warmest years on record. The WMO confirms that levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are at their highest for at least two million years, largely due to human activities.
Furthermore, over 90% of the additional heat captured by greenhouse gases is stored in oceans, causing a range of adverse effects on marine life and climate, including intense storms and rising sea levels. As the upper layers of the ocean reach unprecedented warmth, climate scientists such as Prof. Celeste Saulo of the WMO warn about the long-lasting consequences of human-induced climate disruption.
The report additionally highlights the impacts of rising temperatures on extreme weather events, as witnessed in various regions of the globe experiencing severe heatwaves and unusual climate patterns. These developments elevate the urgency for immediate action to combat climate change and mitigate its most severe impacts.
