Brussels : The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) announced on December 9, 2025, that this year is on track to become the second- or third-warmest year ever recorded, surpassed only by the extreme global heat of 2024. For the first eleven months of 2025, global temperatures averaged 1.2°C above pre-industrial levels, marking another alarming milestone in accelerating climate change.
C3S officials attribute the warming trend to a combination of lingering El Niño effects, record ocean temperatures, and fossil fuel emissions that climbed to 37 billion tonnes, despite global pledges to peak emissions by 2030.
Arctic and Antarctic Facing Rapid Decline
The climate anomalies recorded in 2025 reveal troubling shifts:
Arctic sea ice fell to a 47-year low
Antarctic sea levels rose 10 cm since 2020
Ocean heat increased by 0.5°C, destabilizing marine ecosystems
Data was collected from more than 2,000 weather stations and satellite observations.
Wildfires, Floods, and Mass Displacement
Climate-driven disasters surged in frequency and severity:
20 million hectares burned in wildfires this year
5 million people displaced globally
Floods in Bangladesh affected 10 million residents
Economic damages exceeded $300 billion, hitting agriculture, infrastructure, and insurance markets. India saw wheat yields drop 8%, while global insurance claims rose 15%.
Global Leaders Face Calls for Urgent Action
C3S Director Carlo Buontempo warned that the findings must push countries toward stronger commitments at COP30. UN Secretary-General António Guterres labeled the data a “red flag for humanity,” urging wealthy nations to deliver the long-promised $100 billion annually in climate finance.
Environmental activists—led by Greta Thunberg—criticized the G20 for “inaction and broken promises,” with #Climate2025 trending globally on X and protests erupting in 50 cities demanding faster decarbonization.
Mixed Progress: Renewables Rise, Coal Expands
Despite bleak trends, there are some signs of progress:
Renewables reached 35% of global energy production
China added 500 GW of new solar capacity
The EU accelerated offshore wind expansion
However, the transition remains uneven. Bloomberg reports that India added 10 GW of coal capacity in 2025 to shore up energy reliability amid rising demand.
Humanitarian Crises Worsen in Vulnerable Nations
The report highlights rising risks in climate-vulnerable regions. Sudan faces a severe famine threatening 25 million people, while rising sea levels and shifting monsoon patterns heighten food insecurity across Africa and South Asia.
Scientists Warn 2026 Could Break All Records
Climate scientists caution that 2026 may become even hotter if emissions do not peak before 2030. Without rapid decarbonization, they say the world risks surpassing 1.5°C warming, the Paris Agreement target meant to avoid irreversible climate impacts.
