Archive · 10 Dec 2025
2025 Likely Second or Third Warmest Year
Scientists from the European Union say that 2025 will likely be one of the hottest years ever recorded, possibly the second or third warmest.
This means the world is getting much hotter because of climate change.
The last few years have been very warm, with 2024 being the hottest year on record.
Scientists are worried because the Earth's temperature is rising faster than expected.
They say that the goal to keep the Earth's temperature from rising more than 1.5°C above levels before people started burning a lot of fossil fuels is no longer realistic.
This means we need to do more to stop the Earth from getting too hot, but some countries are not doing enough.
Extreme weather like typhoons and wildfires is already happening because of this warming.
2025 is predicted to be the second or third-warmest year on record, following 2024's record-breaking heat.
The average global temperature is likely to exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the first three-year period.
Extreme weather events, such as Typhoon Kalmaegi in the Philippines and severe wildfires in Spain, have been attributed to climate change.
The 1.5°C warming threshold, set by the 2015 Paris climate agreement, is no longer considered realistically achievable.
Scientists emphasize the accelerating pace of climate change due to greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels.
- Who
- Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), European Union scientists
- What
- Prediction that 2025 will be the second or third-warmest year on record
- When
- Prediction made in December 2024, referring to the year 2025
- Where
- Global context, with specific mention of the Philippines and Spain
- Why
- Due to accelerating climate change and greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels
Climate Action Advocates
Fossil Fuel Interests
Urgency of Reducing Emissions
Climate Action Advocates
Immediate and substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is critical to mitigate climate change impacts.
Fossil Fuel Interests
Economic considerations and energy security should be prioritized over aggressive emission reduction targets.
- Predicted Rank
- Second or third-warmest year on record
- Temperature Threshold
- Average global temperature exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels
- Pre-industrial Period
- 1850-1900
- Source
- Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S)
- Recent Extreme Weather Events
- Typhoon Kalmaegi in the Philippines, severe wildfires in Spain
- Warmest Year on Record
- 2024
- Paris Climate Agreement Goal
- Limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels
- UN Statement
- 1.5°C goal can no longer realistically be met
