The United Nations has issued a stark warning regarding the state of the Earth’s climate, declaring that it is more out of balance than at any point in recorded history. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has highlighted a concerning “energy imbalance” caused by greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide, which has resulted in unprecedented ocean temperatures and significant ice cap melting. With the El Niño weather pattern expected to develop later this year, scientists are bracing for even more extreme temperatures and climate-related impacts.
Unprecedented Energy Imbalance
The WMO’s report reveals that the past eleven years have consistently been the warmest on record since data collection began in 1850. In 2025, global average temperatures were approximately 1.43 degrees Celsius higher than pre-industrial levels. Although the temporary cooling effects of La Niña meant 2025 did not surpass the heat of 2024, it still ranked among the three hottest years recorded.
The current trajectory suggests that warming is accelerating, even as scientists caution that temperatures remain within the long-term forecasts. The WMO’s report indicates that our planet has reached a new high in energy absorption, driving climate change at an alarming rate.
The Root Causes of Climate Change
The report attributes the rising levels of greenhouse gases, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels, as the main catalyst for this energy imbalance. Carbon dioxide concentrations are now at their highest in over two million years. The consequences are dire: while some energy warms the atmosphere and melts ice, more than 90% of the excess heat is absorbed by the oceans. This heat not only threatens marine ecosystems but also leads to more severe storms and rising sea levels.
Provisional data indicates that the world’s glaciers experienced one of their worst years on record in 2024/25, with polar sea ice levels hovering at record lows. The upper two kilometres of global ocean have also reached unprecedented temperatures, warming at a rate more than double that of the late 20th century.
Intensifying Weather Patterns
The implications of these changes are becoming increasingly evident. As temperatures rise, extreme weather events are intensifying, with regions like the south-western United States currently facing a record-setting heatwave, where temperatures have surged beyond 40 degrees Celsius. The World Weather Attribution group has found that the severity of this heatwave would have been “virtually impossible” without human-induced climate change.
Experts are now closely monitoring the Pacific Ocean, where forecasts predict the onset of a warming El Niño phase in the latter half of 2026. Dr John Kennedy of the WMO warns that this phenomenon, coupled with the ongoing human-induced warming, could elevate global temperatures to new record highs as we move into 2027.
Urgent Call for Action
In light of these alarming findings, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has reiterated the urgent need for nations to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. He emphasised that achieving climate security is crucial for energy and national security. “Planet Earth is being pushed beyond its limits. Every key climate indicator is flashing red,” he stated in a compelling video address, urging immediate action.
Why it Matters
The implications of the UN’s latest climate report are profound and far-reaching, reminding us that the consequences of climate change are not distant threats but immediate realities. As global temperatures rise and extreme weather becomes more frequent, the risks to human health, food security, and biodiversity escalate. The call to action is clear: urgent and concerted efforts are required to mitigate climate change and protect our planet for future generations.
