2025 set to be the 2nd or 3rd-hottest year ever: Scientists
As the year 2025 draws to a close, scientists are warning that it is on track to become the second or third-warmest year on record, following closely behind 2024. This alarming trend is a stark reminder of the accelerating rate of climate change, which is having far-reaching consequences for our planet. According to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), this year will likely be one of the hottest on record, with the average global temperature exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius above the 1850-1900 pre-industrial period.
The C3S has been closely monitoring the global temperature trends, and their data suggests that 2025 will be an exceptionally warm year. The service uses a combination of satellite and surface observations to estimate the global temperature, and their findings are based on a comprehensive analysis of the data. The fact that this year is set to be the second or third-warmest on record is a clear indication that the planet is continuing to warm at an alarming rate.
One of the most significant aspects of this trend is that 2025 will likely mark the end of the first three-year period in which the average global temperature has exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial period. This is a critical threshold, as it indicates that the planet is warming at a rate that is far faster than what is considered safe. The Paris Agreement, which was signed by almost 200 countries in 2015, aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
The consequences of exceeding this threshold are far-reaching and devastating. Rising temperatures are causing melting of polar ice caps, sea-level rise, and more frequent and intense heatwaves, droughts, and storms. These extreme weather events are having a significant impact on ecosystems, human health, and the economy. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that between 2030 and 2050, climate change will cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year, mainly due to malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress.
The fact that 2025 is set to be the second or third-warmest year on record is a wake-up call for governments and individuals around the world. It highlights the need for urgent and collective action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a low-carbon economy. The European Union’s C3S is playing a critical role in providing accurate and reliable data on climate change, which is essential for informing policy decisions and guiding climate action.
The C3S’s findings are based on a range of data sources, including satellite observations, surface weather stations, and ocean buoys. The service uses advanced computer models to analyze the data and provide estimates of the global temperature. The results are then compared to historical records to determine the ranking of the current year in terms of temperature.
The news that 2025 is set to be the second or third-warmest year on record is a sobering reminder of the need for climate action. It highlights the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, investing in renewable energy, and protecting natural ecosystems that absorb carbon dioxide. Governments, businesses, and individuals must work together to address the climate crisis and ensure a sustainable future for all.
In conclusion, the fact that 2025 is set to be the second or third-warmest year on record is a clear indication of the accelerating rate of climate change. The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service has provided critical data and analysis, which highlights the need for urgent and collective action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a low-carbon economy. As we look to the future, it is essential that we prioritize climate action and work together to address the climate crisis.
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