The world experienced record levels of heat in 2025, with impacts expected to last for thousands of years, the United Nations has warned.
According to the latest “State of the Global Climate” report by the World Meteorological Organization, the 11 hottest years on record have all occurred between 2015 and 2025, highlighting the accelerating pace of global warming.
The report found that 2025 was among the top three hottest years ever recorded, with global temperatures about 1.43°C above pre-industrial levels (1850–1900 average).
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the situation as a “climate emergency,” warning that “every key climate indicator is flashing red.”
For the first time, the report included data on Earth’s energy imbalance—the difference between incoming solar energy and outgoing heat. Scientists found that this imbalance has reached its highest level since records began in 1960, driven by record concentrations of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.
Celeste Saulo said human activity is increasingly disrupting the planet’s natural balance, with consequences that could persist for hundreds to thousands of years.
Ocean Warming and Rising Seas
More than 90 percent of the excess heat is being absorbed by the oceans, which reached record the heat levels in 2025. The rate of ocean warming has more than doubled in recent decades.
This warming is contributing to marine ecosystem damage, biodiversity loss, and reduced carbon absorption capacity. It is also intensifying storms and accelerating the melting of polar ice.
The ice sheets of Antarctica and Greenland have continued to lose mass, while Arctic sea ice levels remain at near-record lows. Global sea levels have risen by about 11 centimeters since 1993, with further increases expected for centuries.
Growing Climate Risks
John Kennedy noted that global weather patterns are currently influenced by La Niña, with the potential return of El Niño possibly driving even higher temperatures in the coming years.
Ko Barrett described the outlook as “dire,” warning that current trends offer little cause for optimism.
Guterres also linked the climate crisis to global instability, stating that reliance on fossil fuels is worsening both environmental and geopolitical risks.
He warned that “climate chaos is accelerating,” urging immediate global action to address rising emissions and prevent further long-term damage.
