According to the report, the years 2015-2025 have become the warmest on record, and 2025 is likely to rank second or third in temperature readings. Last year, the average temperature was 1.43 degrees Celsius higher than in the pre-industrial period (1850-1900).
UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated: "Every important climate indicator signals danger. If the same thing happens eleven times in a row, it is no longer a coincidence — it demands our attention."
Problems with Oceans and Glaciers
The world's oceans, which absorb more than 91% of excess heat, have reached record levels of warming. Over the past two decades, they have accumulated energy equivalent to eighteen years of human consumption annually.Ice caps continue to shrink rapidly: Arctic sea ice reached its minimum levels in 2025, while Antarctica recorded the third lowest levels in the history of satellite observations. In Iceland and along the Pacific coast of North America, there is a massive loss of glaciers.
Sea levels continue to rise and are already 11 cm higher than in 1993, when satellite measurements began. Experts emphasize that these processes will continue for centuries, and changes in deep ocean temperature and acidity will remain irreversible for thousands of years.
Energy Imbalance
This report from the WMO introduced the Earth's energy imbalance for the first time — the difference between solar energy received by the planet and heat that escapes back into space. This imbalance has reached a record high in the last 65 years.WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo noted: "Human activity is increasingly disrupting the natural balance, and the consequences of this phenomenon will be felt for hundreds and thousands of years."
"Delay Can Have Serious Consequences"
Extreme weather events, such as droughts, storms, floods, and wildfires in 2025, have led to thousands of casualties and billions in economic losses. The report also points to an increase in food insecurity, migration, and worsening public health, including the spread of dengue fever and increased heat stress.António Guterres emphasized: "In the context of current conflicts, climate change shows that our dependence on fossil fuels threatens both the climate and global security. This report should remind us that climate chaos is increasing, and delay can cost lives."
Photo on the main page is illustrative: Adobestock / Fahad.
