World experiences hottest 11 years on record, WMO warns

The world has recorded its hottest 11-year period on record, according to a new report by the World Meteorological Organization, with the years 2015 to 2025 marking an unprecedented stretch of global warming.

The study found that 2025 ranked among the second or third hottest years ever recorded, with global temperatures reaching approximately 1.43°C above pre-industrial levels.

Scientists say the warming trend is evident across multiple indicators of the climate system. Ocean temperatures have reached record highs, glaciers continue to lose mass, and both Arctic and Antarctic sea ice have declined to some of their lowest levels.

Researchers attribute these changes to rising concentrations of greenhouse gases, which are driving long-term climate change.

For the first time, the report highlights the concept of Earth’s “energy imbalance” a measure of how much heat the planet retains.

Experts say more energy is entering the Earth’s system than leaving it, leading to a steady accumulation of heat since records began in the 1960s. This imbalance is now believed to be accelerating, raising further concerns among scientists.

The warming climate has also been linked to an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including heatwaves, typhoons, droughts and cold spells.

Lead author John Kennedy warned that vulnerable populations, particularly those in fragile or conflict-affected regions, are facing repeated extreme events with little time to recover between them.

Scientists have cautioned that a potential El Niño event in the coming months could further intensify global weather conditions, increasing the likelihood of extreme rainfall, heat stress and tropical cyclones.

The findings underscore growing concerns over the pace of climate change and highlight the urgent need for coordinated global action to address its far-reaching impacts.

TNAM
Edited By Egwu Patience Nnennaya.