In a stark warning, the United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has reported that the Earth’s climate is more unbalanced now than at any point in recorded history. With emissions of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, continuing to escalate, the planet is accumulating heat at an alarming rate, resulting in unprecedented ocean temperatures and accelerated ice melt. As the natural warming phenomenon known as El Niño is anticipated to emerge later this year, scientists are bracing for additional climate extremes.
A Planet in Distress
The WMO’s recent findings underscore a critical and worrying trend: the last eleven years have been the hottest on record since 1850. In 2025, global average air temperatures were approximately 1.43°C above pre-industrial levels, primarily due to human activities such as fossil fuel combustion. While a temporary cooling phase brought on by La Niña meant that 2025 was not as scorching as its predecessor, 2024, it nonetheless ranked among the three warmest years since records began.
UN Secretary General António Guterres has reiterated his urgent call for a transition away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources to ensure 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.
The Energy Imbalance
The concept of “energy imbalance” is at the heart of the WMO’s report. Essentially, this refers to the excess heat energy that the planet is unable to release back into space. This imbalance reached a new peak last year, with rising levels of greenhouse gases being the primary culprits. Levels of atmospheric CO2 are currently the highest they have been in over two million years due to human actions.
The implications of this imbalance are dire. Over 90% of the additional heat absorbed by the Earth is stored in the oceans, where it disrupts marine ecosystems, fuels more severe storms, and contributes to rising sea levels. Alarmingly, the upper two kilometres of the global ocean recorded unprecedented warmth last year, with rates of increase more than double those seen in the late 20th century.
Extreme Weather and Health Risks
The repercussions of this climatic upheaval are being felt across the globe. Rising temperatures are exacerbating extreme weather phenomena, including heatwaves and floods, and facilitating the spread of diseases such as dengue fever. For instance, the southwestern United States is currently grappling with an early-season heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 40°C—10 to 15°C higher than average.
A rapid analysis by the World Weather Attribution group revealed that such extreme heat events would have been “virtually impossible” without the influence of human-induced climate change. This stark reality underscores the urgent need for action as we inch closer to potentially catastrophic climatic conditions.
Watching the Pacific
As scientists turn their attention to the Pacific Ocean, predictions indicate that a warming El Niño phase could develop in the latter half of 2026. This phenomenon, coupled with the ongoing human-induced warming trend, could lead to record-breaking temperatures in the years that follow. “If we transition to El Niño, we will see an increase in global temperature again, and potentially to new records,” cautioned Dr John Kennedy from the WMO.
Why it Matters
This latest report from the WMO serves as a crucial wake-up call regarding the escalating climate crisis. The data reveals an urgent need for global cooperation and immediate action to mitigate the impacts of climate change. The consequences of inaction will not only affect the environment but also threaten human health, food security, and the stability of communities worldwide. As we face the looming challenge of El Niño, the time to act decisively is now.
