Climate change exacerbated by human activities has led to 2025 ranking as one of the hottest years on record, according to scientists. It marked the first time that the three-year temperature average surpassed the threshold established in the 2015 Paris Agreement, aiming to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius since preindustrial times. Experts emphasize the critical importance of staying below this limit to save lives and prevent catastrophic environmental damage worldwide.
A recent analysis by World Weather Attribution researchers, released in Europe, highlighted the impact of a warming planet on extreme weather events experienced globally throughout the year. Despite the occurrence of a La Niña, a natural cooling of Pacific Ocean waters affecting weather patterns, temperatures remained elevated. Researchers attributed this to the persistent burning of fossil fuels, such as oil, gas, and coal, which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
“If we fail to swiftly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, achieving the warming goal will become exceedingly challenging,” stated Friederike Otto, a climate scientist at Imperial College London and co-founder of World Weather Attribution. She emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that scientific evidence supporting the link between human activities and climate change is becoming increasingly clear.
In 2025, extreme heat waves emerged as the deadliest disasters globally, causing significant loss of life and extensive economic damage. The report from WWA identified 157 severe weather events, with 22 intensively analyzed, showcasing the devastating impact of climate change. The researchers revealed that heat waves in 2025 were ten times more likely compared to a decade ago due to climate change’s influence.
Moreover, prolonged droughts fueled wildfires in Greece and Turkey, while heavy rains and floods in Mexico and super typhoon Fung-wong in the Philippines led to mass evacuations. The report highlighted the challenges posed by increasingly severe weather events, limiting the ability of communities worldwide to adequately respond and adapt, termed as the “limits of adaptation” by scientists.
The year witnessed a setback in global climate diplomacy as the United Nations climate talks in Brazil concluded without a definitive plan to transition away from fossil fuels. While pledges were made to assist countries in adapting to climate change, the transition is expected to take more time. Despite the acknowledgment that global warming may surpass 1.5 degrees Celsius, efforts to reverse this trend are ongoing, with varying levels of progress seen across different nations.
China has shown rapid progress in deploying renewable energy sources like solar and wind power but continues to invest in coal production. In contrast, some European countries are pushing for climate action despite concerns about economic growth limitations. On the other hand, the U.S. under the Trump administration has prioritized policies supporting coal, oil, and gas over clean energy initiatives.
“The current geopolitical climate is clouded by policymakers prioritizing the interests of the fossil fuel industry over their populations,” remarked Otto. Misinformation and disinformation further complicate efforts to address climate change. Andrew Kruczkiewicz, a senior researcher at Columbia University Climate School, emphasized the need for early warnings and innovative response strategies to tackle the increasingly complex and intensifying extreme weather events worldwide.
While acknowledging global progress, Kruczkiewicz emphasized the necessity of intensified efforts to combat climate change on a larger scale. The urgency to do more is crucial in the face of unprecedented disasters and rapidly evolving climate challenges.