In January 2025, a new record was set for the highest ever global surface air temperatures, averaging at 55.81 degrees Fahrenheit (13.23 degrees Celsius). This occurred despite the cold climate patterns observed in the Pacific and parts of the U.S.

Interestingly, in this year, Earth entered La Niña, the cold phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation cycle. However, this phase arrived later than anticipated and manifested as unusually weak. This delayed and weak La Niña contributed to the high temperatures experienced globally.

The soaring temperatures in January 2025 are not an isolated incident. They continue the worrying trend of global warming we’ve been experiencing. In fact, the previous year, 2024, was the hottest year on record. It was also the first full year to exceed 2.7 F (1.5 C) above pre-industrial levels, a milestone that signifies the alarming rate of global warming.

The temperature in January 2025 was 3.15 F (1.75 C) above pre-industrial levels. This marks it as the 18th month in the last 19 to surpass the 2.7 F limit set by the 2015 Paris Agreement. This agreement, signed by 196 parties, sets out a global framework to avoid dangerous climate change by limiting global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

It is widely accepted that human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, have primarily contributed to global warming. These rising temperatures lead to multiple consequences like increased extreme weather events, sea level rise that threatens coastal communities, food security threats, and potential species extinction due to changing habitats.

The European climate service, Copernicus, confirmed that January 2025 set a new global heat record. This is noteworthy because it occurred despite the presence of a cooling La Nina and projections of a cooler year.

In the scientific community, former NASA scientist, James Hansen, asserts that global warming is intensifying. This view has created a divide among researchers.

Despite the cooling effect of an active La Nina, record temperatures were still observed. This is attributed to the unprecedented warmth in the world’s oceans, which have absorbed more than 90% of the excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases. This underscores the significance of oceanic heat content in the Earth’s energy budget and its role in driving global temperatures.

The record-breaking temperatures of January 2025, set against the backdrop of a cooling La Nina, highlights the urgency of tackling global warming and underscores the significant impact of human activities on our planet’s climate.

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