The WMO's latest report reveals that the past eleven years, particularly the last three, have recorded unprecedented global warming, leading to severe climate impacts such as extreme weather events across continents.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has released its annual climate report, documenting that the years between 2015 and 2025 are the hottest on record, with the last three years marking the peak of this trend. According to Ko Barrett, the WMO's Assistant Secretary-General, this warming has led to significant challenges worldwide, including intense heat, heavy rainfall, and tropical cyclones that directly affect communities across nearly all continents. These extreme weather events are stark indicators of the ongoing climate crisis faced by societies globally.
The report also highlights troubling levels of greenhouse gases, stating that carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere have reached heights that have not been seen in two million years. Furthermore, methane and nitrous oxide levels are reported to be the highest in 800,000 years. While there are no global measurements available for 2025 yet, projections indicate a continuation of rising greenhouse gas levels, exacerbating the climate situation.
For the first time, the WMO's report includes data on the planet's energy imbalance, indicating that more energy is being retained in the atmosphere than is leaving it. This discrepancy contributes to persistent warming, as less energy exits the system than is absorbed, signaling an ongoing deterioration in climatic stability. The implications of this energy imbalance are profound, suggesting that urgent action is needed to mitigate the long-term impacts of climate change on human health, biodiversity, and economies.
