World Meteorological Organization reports earth’s hottest years in history
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that the planet is heating up at an alarming rate, making the past 11 years (2015–2025) the hottest period ever recorded.
The years 2023, 2024 and 2025 have emerged as the three warmest years in history.
In its State of the Global Climate Update 2025, the WMO revealed that average global temperatures from January to August 2025 were 1.42°C above pre-industrial levels. The report paints a grim picture of rising sea levels, melting ice, and frequent extreme weather events that continue to accelerate climate change.
The organization said concentrations of greenhouse gases reached new highs in 2024 and have continued to rise this year. Ocean heat content, which measures how much energy the Earth’s system stores, also hit a record. With these trends, the WMO cautioned that keeping global warming below 1.5°C will be extremely difficult without temporarily exceeding the limit. However, it said temperatures could still return to that level by the end of the century if urgent action is taken.
The United Nations has called for swift and large-scale efforts to reduce the damage caused by rising temperatures. It warned that every year above the 1.5°C threshold will hurt economies, deepen inequalities, and cause irreversible harm to the environment unless countries act fast.
The report noted that floods, droughts, and wildfires have devastated communities across Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America in 2025, displacing millions and disrupting food production and livelihoods. Rising global temperatures are also leading to faster glacier melt, higher sea levels, and stronger storms that affect key sectors including agriculture, energy, and health.
According to the WMO, the oceans have absorbed over 90% of the excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases, driving major changes in marine life. Coral reefs are dying, biodiversity is declining, and the oceans’ ability to absorb carbon dioxide is weakening.
Levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) the three main greenhouse gases have continued to surge. In 2024, CO₂ levels reached 423.9 parts per million (ppm), the highest in history and 53% above pre-industrial levels. Methane and nitrous oxide also hit record highs, further driving global warming.
The record-breaking heat of 2024 pushed global energy demand 4% higher than the 1991–2020 average, with demand in Central and Southern Africa increasing by nearly 30%. The WMO urged countries to use climate data in renewable energy planning to build stronger and more flexible systems.
The report also highlighted improvements in early warning systems since 2015, with the number of countries with Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems rising from 56 to 119. However, 40% of countries still lack such systems. The UN’s “Early Warnings for All” initiative aims to achieve full global coverage by 2027, though experts say faster progress is needed, especially in vulnerable regions.
National Meteorological and Hydrological Services are now playing a key role in climate action, with nearly two-thirds providing climate services such as weather forecasts, agricultural advice, and heat alerts. These services are helping governments and citizens prepare better for extreme weather.
Released ahead of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the WMO report serves as a scientific guide for climate negotiations. It warns that without immediate action, the world is moving toward irreversible tipping points, but also stresses that with science, data, and collective effort, there is still hope for recovery.
