UN weather agency flags record ‘climate imbalance’ as planetary warming speeds up

On the back of a decade of record-breaking heat, the World Meteorological Organization has warned that Earth’s climate is now “more out of balance than at any time in observed history.”

“Between 2015 and 2025, we experienced the hottest 11 years on record,” said Ko Barrett, noting that 2025 was about 1.43°C warmer than the 1850–1900 baseline and also saw record ocean heat levels.

Grim state of the climate

Barrett painted a stark picture of worsening climate conditions, pointing to accelerating glacier retreat and ice melt. “The warming ocean and melting land-based ice are driving long-term sea level rise,” she said.

She added that the findings should spur stronger efforts to deliver early warnings and climate forecasts to help vulnerable communities mitigate the growing risks.

Greenhouse gases at record highs

According to John Kennedy, concentrations of key greenhouse gases — carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide — reached record levels in 2024, marking the sharpest annual increase on record. Early data suggests levels continued rising in 2025.

These gases are intensifying what scientists call Earth’s energy imbalance — a situation where more energy enters the planet from the sun than leaves it.

Growing energy imbalance

“In a balanced system, incoming and outgoing energy are roughly equal. But now, less energy is escaping due to higher greenhouse gas concentrations,” Kennedy explained. “That means energy is accumulating in the Earth’s system.”

The WMO has begun tracking this imbalance, with findings showing a clear acceleration in warming between 2001 and 2025.

Around 90% of this excess heat is being absorbed by the oceans — a trend with major consequences. More than three billion people rely on marine and coastal ecosystems, while roughly 11% of the global population lives in low-lying coastal areas vulnerable to rising seas and climate hazards.

The warning underscores growing concern that without urgent action, the impacts of climate change — from sea-level rise to extreme weather — will intensify further in the years ahead.