WMO Reports Unprecedented Climate Imbalance on Earth
Synopsis
The World Meteorological Organization has revealed alarming new data on Earth's climate, showing significant imbalances that threaten our ecosystems and societies. As greenhouse gases continue to rise, the urgency for protective measures has never been greater.
Key Takeaways
Unprecedented climate imbalance reported by WMO.
2015-2025 period is the hottest on record.
Ocean heat content has reached historic highs.
Greenhouse gas levels continue to rise.
Earth's energy imbalance is a new key climate indicator.
Geneva, March 23 (NationPress) The Earth's climate is currently experiencing unprecedented imbalance, as greenhouse gas levels contribute to the ongoing warming of both the atmosphere and oceans, alongside significant ice melt, as reported by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on Monday.
March 23 marks World Meteorological Day, themed "Observing Today, Protecting Tomorrow." On this occasion, the WMO unveiled the State of the Global Climate report 2025, which evaluates various critical climate indicators such as greenhouse gas levels, surface temperatures, ocean heat and acidification, sea level rise, Antarctic sea ice extent, and glacier melt.
The findings confirm that the decade from 2015 to 2025 represents the hottest 11 years ever recorded, with 2025 being either the second or third hottest year on record, approximately 1.43 degrees Celsius above the historical average from 1850-1900. Extreme weather events globally—including severe heat, heavy rainfall, and tropical storms—have caused widespread disruption, underscoring the fragility of our interconnected economies and societies.
The oceans continue to warm and sequester carbon dioxide, having absorbed an estimated 18 times the annual energy consumption of humans each year over the last 20 years. In 2025, ocean heat content (to a depth of 2,000 meters) reached its highest level since records began in 1960, eclipsing the previous record set in 2024.
Monitoring data showed that the three principal greenhouse gases—carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide—continued to rise in 2025.
For the first time, the report highlighted Earth's energy imbalance as a crucial climate metric. This balance measures how much energy enters and exits the Earth system, according to the Xinhua news agency.
Since the observational record began in 1960, the Earth's energy imbalance has been on the rise, particularly over the last 20 years, achieving a new peak in 2025.
Point of View
The report by the World Meteorological Organization highlights a critical moment in our environmental history. The increasing imbalance in Earth's climate calls for urgent global attention and action to mitigate the impacts on our societies and economies.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main findings of the WMO report?
The WMO report reveals that the Earth's climate is more out of balance than ever, with record high greenhouse gas concentrations and ocean temperatures, indicating urgent action is needed.
How has the climate changed in the past decade?
The last decade, from 2015 to 2025, has been the hottest on record, with 2025 being one of the warmest years, significantly above historical averages.
What does Earth's energy imbalance mean?
Earth's energy imbalance refers to the difference between the energy entering and leaving the Earth system, which has been increasing since 1960, indicating more energy is being trapped.
What impact do greenhouse gases have on the climate?
Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide contribute to global warming by trapping heat in the atmosphere, leading to climate change.
Why is ocean heat content important?
Ocean heat content is crucial because it reflects the amount of heat absorbed by the oceans, impacting weather patterns, sea level rise, and marine ecosystems.
