The latest assessment from the United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reveals a staggering reality: the Earth is experiencing an unprecedented imbalance in heat energy, leading to alarming consequences for our climate. This imbalance, primarily driven by the relentless emissions of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, is pushing our planet to unprecedented levels of warmth. With the El Niño phenomenon on the horizon, experts warn that we may be on the brink of even more extreme temperature records.
A Planet in Distress
According to the WMO, the last eleven years have marked the hottest period in recorded history, with temperatures soaring approximately 1.43 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels in 2025. This increase is largely attributed to human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels. While a temporary cooling effect from the La Niña weather pattern prevented 2025 from being as scorching as 2024, it was still one of the three hottest years since records began.
UN Secretary General António Guterres has called attention to this dire situation, urging nations to pivot from fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources in a bid to secure climate, energy, and national security. “Planet Earth is being pushed beyond its limits. Every key climate indicator is flashing red,” he stated emphatically in a recent video address.
Rising Temperatures and Extreme Weather
The WMO report underscores the accelerating pace of climate change, with scientists observing that the Earth is accumulating excess heat at an alarming rate. This energy imbalance, which serves as a catalyst for climate change, reached new heights in the past year. The report highlights that while experts continue to investigate the reasons behind this energy accumulation, the undeniable culprit remains the heat-trapping greenhouse gases that humanity has released into the atmosphere.
Levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide are currently at their highest in at least two million years, with human activity primarily responsible for this drastic increase. The repercussions are evident: not only is the atmosphere and land warming, but the planet’s ice caps are undergoing rapid melting. Provisional data indicates that glaciers experienced one of their five worst years on record in 2024/25, while sea ice levels at both poles neared record lows.
The Ocean’s Role in Climate Change
Perhaps the most concerning aspect of this energy imbalance is its impact on the world’s oceans. Over 90% of the excess heat is absorbed by the seas, leading to detrimental effects on marine ecosystems. This phenomenon contributes to more intense storms and rising sea levels, further exacerbating the climate crisis. The WMO reported that the heat stored in the upper two kilometres of the global ocean reached unprecedented levels last year, with warming occurring at more than double the rate observed in the late 20th century.
Prof. Celeste Saulo, secretary general of the WMO, emphasised the long-term consequences of these human-induced changes: “Our activities are increasingly disrupting the natural equilibrium, and we will live with these consequences for hundreds and thousands of years.”
A Looming El Niño and Its Implications
Scientists are closely monitoring the Pacific Ocean, as forecasts strongly suggest that the El Niño phenomenon may emerge in the latter half of 2026. This natural warming event, compounded by ongoing human-induced temperature increases, poses a significant risk of pushing global temperatures to new heights. Dr. John Kennedy of the WMO warned, “If we transition to El Niño, we will see an increase in global temperature again, and potentially to new records.”
The immediate consequences of rising temperatures are becoming more pronounced, with extreme weather events intensifying as a result. For example, the southwestern United States is currently grappling with a record-breaking heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius—10 to 15 degrees above average. A rapid analysis by scientists from the World Weather Attribution group concluded that such intense heat would have been “virtually impossible” without the influence of human-induced climate change.
Why it Matters
This latest report from the WMO serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for global action in the fight against climate change. As we witness our planet teetering on the edge of an irreversible crisis, the call for a transition to sustainable energy sources has never been more critical. The intersection of human activity and natural systems is producing a climate emergency that threatens our very existence, highlighting the imperative for immediate and comprehensive action to secure a livable future for generations to come.
