UN issues new climate warning as El Niño looms The United Nations' weather agency has issued a stark warning that the Earth's climate is more unbalanced than at any point in recorded history. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported that the planet is absorbing significantly more heat energy than it can release, driven by emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. This growing "energy imbalance" has pushed ocean temperatures to record levels and accelerated the melting of ice caps. Scientists warn that an upcoming El Niño event could further intensify global warming, potentially leading to new temperature records. UN Secretary General António Guterres emphasized the need for countries to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, calling it essential for climate, energy, and national security. The WMO highlighted that the past 11 years have been the warmest in over 150 years of records. In 2025, global average air temperatures were 1.43 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, a benchmark set before widespread fossil fuel use. While a temporary cooling effect from the La Niña weather pattern reduced 2025's temperatures compared to 2024, the year still ranked among the three hottest on record. The WMO noted that the climate is changing at an unprecedented rate, with the most comprehensive evidence being the accumulation of excess heat energy in the Earth's systems. This imbalance, driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, has led to record-breaking glacier retreat and near-record low sea ice levels at both poles. Over 90% of the additional heat absorbed by the planet is stored in the oceans, which exacerbates marine ecosystem stress, intensifies storms, and contributes to rising sea levels.#un #world_meteorological_organization #celeste_saulo #antonio_guterres #john_kennedy
