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March 24, 2026
#climate: 2025 among hottest years on record as scientists warn climate impacts accelerating
Matthew Tukaki
Posted On March 24, 2026
New global climate data has confirmed 2025 as one of the hottest years ever recorded, reinforcing warnings from scientists that the impacts of climate change are intensifying and already being felt across communities.
Expert reaction published through Scoop highlights findings from the World Meteorological Organization showing 2025 ranked among the top three hottest years globally, with the past decade now the warmest period on record.
Scientists say the trend is being driven by continued greenhouse gas emissions, with the global climate system now described as being more out of balance than at any point in modern observations.
The data shows global temperatures sitting around 1.4 degrees above pre-industrial levels, placing the world increasingly close to breaching the 1.5 degree threshold set under the Paris Agreement.
Climate experts warn that the sustained heat seen across recent years is not an anomaly, but part of a longer-term pattern linked to human activity. Even without the influence of major natural climate cycles, temperatures have remained elevated, pointing to a persistent warming trend.
There are also growing concerns about the real-world consequences of that warming. Scientists point to escalating extreme weather events, including heatwaves, storms and flooding, alongside rising sea levels and changes to ecosystems. These impacts are increasingly affecting food systems, infrastructure and communities, with some regions already experiencing repeated climate-related shocks.
Much of the excess heat is being absorbed by the ocean, which is warming at an accelerating pace. That process is contributing to stronger weather systems and long-term environmental change, with effects expected to continue for generations.
For Aotearoa, the implications are significant. Climate-driven weather events have already resulted in billions of dollars in damage in recent years, alongside disruption to communities and livelihoods.
Scientists are clear that the pathway forward is known, but action has lagged. Reducing emissions, particularly from fossil fuels, remains central to slowing the rate of warming and limiting future impacts.
The latest data adds urgency to that message. While the temperature records themselves are significant, experts say the broader concern lies in what they represent – a rapidly changing climate system that is already reshaping environments, economies and daily life.
As the world continues to warm, the focus is shifting from whether climate change is happening to how quickly and effectively countries respond. For communities across Aotearoa and the Pacific, the challenge is not only about mitigation, but also adapting to a future where extreme conditions are expected to become more frequent and more severe.
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