What's happened
Scientists confirm 2025 as one of the hottest years on record, driven by human activity. Extreme weather events increased in frequency and severity, highlighting the urgent need for global adaptation efforts. Despite some progress, international climate talks failed to deliver decisive action, leaving vulnerable nations at risk.
What's behind the headline?
The year 2025 underscores the stark reality of climate change's acceleration. The confirmation of 2025 as one of the hottest years, with temperatures surpassing the 1.5°C threshold, demonstrates the urgency of reducing greenhouse gases. The failure of COP30 to produce binding commitments on fossil fuel phase-out reveals a geopolitical stalemate, especially with the US's withdrawal and other nations' limited ambitions. The increase in extreme weather—heatwaves, wildfires, floods—has made climate adaptation a matter of global justice. Wealthy nations are underdelivering on promised financial support, risking a widening gap between those who can adapt and those who cannot. The scientific consensus is clear: without immediate, decisive action, the worst impacts of climate change will become unavoidable, and the most vulnerable will bear the brunt.
What the papers say
The Guardian highlights the political resistance and the failure of COP30 to produce concrete commitments, emphasizing the US's withdrawal and the weak progress on fossil fuel phase-out. The Japan Times discusses the ongoing climate impacts in Japan, including record temperatures and heat-related health crises, illustrating how climate change affects daily life. AP News provides a comprehensive overview of the scientific findings, confirming 2025 as one of the hottest years and detailing the increase in extreme weather events, with a focus on the global implications. These contrasting perspectives underscore the complex interplay between scientific realities, political will, and societal impacts, with the Guardian emphasizing political failures, Japan highlighting local impacts, and AP stressing the scientific consensus.
How we got here
The year 2025 was shaped by ongoing climate change driven by fossil fuel emissions. Despite international efforts like the Paris Agreement, global temperatures have continued to climb, with extreme weather events becoming more frequent. Political resistance, especially in the US and some Western nations, has hampered progress, while vulnerable nations demand more support for adaptation.
Go deeper
Common question
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Why Did Global Climate Efforts Fail in 2025?
2025 has been a challenging year for climate action, marked by setbacks and political shifts that hinder progress. Many wonder what caused these failures and what they mean for the future. Below, we explore the key questions about the climate crisis in 2025, including the impact of political decisions, extreme weather, and what vulnerable nations can do now.
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Why Is 2025 Considered One of the Hottest Years on Record?
Scientists and climate experts are calling 2025 one of the hottest years ever recorded, driven by rising global temperatures and extreme weather events. Despite efforts to curb emissions, climate change continues to accelerate, raising urgent questions about what this means for our planet. Below, we explore the key reasons behind this record heat, the impacts we're seeing, and what can be done to adapt and respond.
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Why Was 2025 the Hottest Year on Record?
2025 has been marked as one of the hottest years in recent history, with record-breaking temperatures and extreme weather events. But what caused this unprecedented heat? Understanding the main factors behind this climate milestone can help us grasp the urgency of climate change and what it means for the future. Below, we explore the reasons behind 2025's record heat and what it signals for upcoming years.
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Why Did International Climate Talks Fail to Deliver Concrete Action?
Despite urgent calls for climate action, international negotiations often fall short of meaningful commitments. Many wonder why global climate talks struggle to produce real change and what obstacles stand in the way. Below, we explore the reasons behind these failures, the challenges faced by policymakers, and what can be done to move forward in combating climate change.
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