2025 was not the hottest year on record, but it was still the third hottest year, coming just behind 2023. This trend of increasing temperatures has been consistent over the past three years, with global warming surpassing 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. The data released by the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) paints a grim picture of our planet’s future.
The past decade has seen the 11 hottest years on record, a clear indication of the global warming trend fueled by rising levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. If this trajectory continues, we are on course to breach the 2015 Paris climate agreement, which aims to limit global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius and “well below” two degrees Celsius.
In 2025, the global average temperature was 1.47 degrees Celsius above the preindustrial average. While this is slightly cooler than 2023, it is still a cause for concern. The consecutive years of record-breaking temperatures highlight the urgency of the situation. The Paris Agreement looks at temperature averages over several years, and with the hottest years clustered in the past decade, we are rapidly approaching a breach, likely by the end of this decade.
The Trump administration’s actions have made achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement even more challenging. President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the US from the agreement has further complicated global efforts to combat climate change. With the current trajectory, the world is facing an inevitable overshoot of the long-term temperature limit set by the Paris agreement.
It is crucial for us to take action now to mitigate the impact of climate change and manage the consequences on societies and natural systems. The choices we make today will determine the future of our planet. The time to stand up for science and support initiatives that promote sustainability and conservation is now.
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