New UN climate report reveals record heat, ocean warming and melting ice
The Earth’s climate is now more out of balance than at any point in recorded history, according to a stark new warning from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
The UN weather agency says the planet is currently absorbing far more heat than it can release, creating a record “energy imbalance” that is driving rising global temperatures, ocean heating, melting ice and more extreme weather.
The findings underline the growing urgency of the climate crisis, with scientists warning that the world is entering increasingly dangerous territory.
What Is Earth’s Climate Energy Imbalance?
One of the clearest signs of climate change is the amount of extra heat energy being trapped in the Earth system.
This is known as Earth’s energy imbalance, and according to the WMO, it reached its highest level in the 65-year observational record in 2025.
Put simply, more heat from the sun is staying within the Earth’s atmosphere, oceans and land than is escaping back into space. That excess heat is the engine behind many of the most damaging effects of climate change.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Are Driving Global Warming
Scientists say there is no doubt about the main cause: human-produced greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide (CO2).
The WMO says atmospheric CO2 concentrations are now at their highest level in at least two million years, largely because of the continued burning of coal, oil and gas.
These heat-trapping gases are intensifying global warming by holding more energy in the Earth system, causing temperatures to rise across the atmosphere, oceans and land.
And scientists fear that the natural warming phase called El Niño which is expected to begin this year, could bring further records.
In response to the report, UN Secretary General António Guterres restated his call for countries to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy to “deliver climate security, energy security and national security”.
“Planet Earth is being pushed beyond its limits. Every key climate indicator is flashing red,” he warned.
The Last 11 Years Have Been the Warmest on Record
According to the WMO, the period from 2015 to 2025 represents the 11 hottest years ever recorded.
In 2025, the global average surface temperature was about 1.43°C above pre-industrial levels (1850–1900), making it one of the three warmest years on record.
Although a temporary La Niña weather pattern helped cool the planet slightly compared with 2024, the long-term warming trend remains firmly in place. Scientists say this shows how deeply the climate system is now being affected by human activity.
Oceans Are Absorbing Most of the Planet’s Extra Heat
More than 90% of the excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases is being absorbed by the oceans.
This has pushed ocean heat content to a new record, with the upper 2,000 metres of the global ocean warming rapidly. According to the WMO, ocean warming over the past two decades has been happening more than twice as fast as it did in the late 20th century.
“Human activities are increasingly disrupting the natural equilibrium and we will live with these consequences for hundreds and thousands of years,” said Prof Celeste Saulo, secretary general of the WMO.
Why ocean warming matters
Warmer oceans can have devastating consequences for both people and wildlife, including:
- More intense storms
- Rising sea levels
- Damage to marine ecosystems
- Stress on fish populations and ocean biodiversity
- Disruption to weather patterns around the world
For nature, this means increasing pressure on already fragile ecosystems, from coral reefs to coastal habitats and the species that depend on them.
Melting Ice Caps and Glaciers Show the Scale of the Crisis
The report also highlights the rapid loss of the Earth’s frozen regions.
According to provisional data:
- The world’s glaciers experienced one of their five worst years on record in 2024/25
- Arctic sea ice was at or near record lows for much of 2025
- Antarctic sea ice also remained near historic lows
This accelerating ice loss is a major warning sign for the health of the planet and contributes directly to sea-level rise, threatening wildlife, coastal communities and freshwater systems.
Climate Change Is Making Extreme Weather Worse
The WMO report says rising global temperatures are already helping to intensify many forms of extreme weather, including:
- Heatwaves
- Heavy rainfall
- Tropical cyclones
- Drought
- Flooding
The report also notes that a warming world can contribute to the spread of climate-sensitive diseases, including dengue.
One current example is the record-breaking early-season heatwave in the south-west United States, where temperatures recently climbed above 40°C, around 10–15°C above average in some areas.
A rapid analysis by World Weather Attribution found that heat of this intensity would have been “virtually impossible” without human-caused climate change.
“If we transition to El Niño we will see an increase in global temperature again, and potentially to new records” said Dr John Kennedy of the WMO.
At Natural World Fund, we believe the climate crisis is also a nature crisis. As the Earth absorbs more heat, the effects are being felt across ecosystems, wildlife and communities worldwide. Protecting the natural world means acting now to reduce emissions, restore habitats and create a safer future for both people and nature.
If you care about restoring native wildlife in the UK, support the work of Natural World Fund today.