What's happened
Recent data from Copernicus shows that global temperatures from January to November 2025 averaged 1.48°C above pre-industrial levels, making it likely that 2025 will be among the warmest years on record. Despite some regional variations, the trend indicates accelerating climate change and increased extreme weather events.
What's behind the headline?
The data confirms that the world is on track to surpass the critical 1.5°C threshold, a limit set to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. The three-year average for 2023-2025 is projected to exceed this limit, signaling an urgent need for intensified mitigation efforts. The persistent rise in temperatures correlates with increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events, such as cyclones and floods, which disproportionately affect vulnerable regions. The lack of consensus at recent climate summits underscores the political challenges in implementing meaningful reductions in greenhouse gases. This trajectory suggests that without rapid, coordinated action, the goal of limiting global warming will become increasingly unattainable, with profound implications for ecosystems, economies, and human safety.
What the papers say
The Japan Times highlights that temperatures are 'currently tied with 2023 to be the second-warmest year on record,' emphasizing the ongoing trend of rising global temperatures. Al Jazeera notes that while 2025 may not reach 1.5°C, the average for 2023-2025 is likely to exceed this threshold, driven by recent extreme weather events and weak commitments at COP30. The Guardian underscores that these milestones reflect an 'accelerating pace of climate change,' with scientists warning that the planet is moving away from stable conditions. All sources agree that current efforts are insufficient and that the climate crisis is intensifying, with political and economic barriers hampering progress.
How we got here
Since the 2015 Paris Agreement, global emissions have continued to rise, driven largely by fossil fuel consumption. Despite efforts to expand renewable energy, emissions and temperatures have kept climbing. Recent climate summits, including COP28 and COP30, have failed to produce decisive commitments to phase out fossil fuels, reflecting geopolitical divisions and economic interests that hinder global climate action.
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