Globally, temperatures are warming, and 2025 is no exception. Though we saw cooling from the La Niña weather pattern, data shows it was still hotter than temperatures of just ten years ago. This pattern tends to create temporary cool spells, but its influence is weakening against human-caused warming.
Dr. Samantha Burgess from Copernicus notes, “In 20 years, this period will seem relatively cool.” The data reveals that last year’s global average temperature was over 1.4°C above pre-industrial levels. If we carry on with current greenhouse gas emissions, the situation will only worsen.
Experts like Professor Rowan Sutton emphasize the importance of understanding the links between emissions and rising temperatures. “If greenhouse gas concentrations continue to rise, the planet will respond by warming,” he explains. Extreme weather events – such as the California fires in January and Hurricane Melissa in October 2025 – are clear signs of this warming trend.
Recent statistics show that we are nearing the point of exceeding the internationally agreed limit of 1.5°C warming over pre-industrial levels, decided upon by nearly 200 countries in 2015. Dr. Burgess adds, “Looking at the latest data, it looks like we will exceed that 1.5°C level by the decade’s end.”
Interestingly, while the last three years have set new temperature records, the rise in temperature has puzzled scientists. Climate experts speculate that changes in cloud patterns and aerosols may also affect the heat we experience today. Dr. Zeke Hausfather from Berkeley Earth notes, “The persistence of extreme warmth into 2025 suggests that there might be mysteries we haven’t fully solved.”
Social media has also buzzed with reactions to these trends. Users on platforms like Twitter often share their concerns and experiences related to extreme weather events, from flooding in Haiti to wildfires in California.
However, it’s crucial to remember that the future of climate change isn’t fixed. What we do today can make a significant difference. In the words of Professor Sutton, “We can strongly affect what happens by cutting emissions and adapting to the ongoing changes.”
For further insights on the impacts of climate change, you can explore more in-depth research from the European Copernicus climate service.
