Last month, the global temperature was 1.75 degrees Celsius higher than the pre-industrial level. It was also 0.79°C above the 1991-2020 average. This increase was unexpected because scientists had hoped the La Niña weather phenomenon would bring cooler temperatures. However, even with La Niña’s cooling effect, the heat continued to rise.

In 2015, world leaders decided to keep global temperature rise below 1.5°C compared to the time before industries began using coal and oil. This was to reduce the harmful effects of climate change.

However, new data shows that in the past 19 months, temperatures have crossed this limit 18 times. This is worrying for scientists and leaders because it means the Earth is getting hotter faster than expected, which can lead to more extreme weather and other climate problems.

Samantha Burgess, a climate expert from Copernicus, called January 2025’s temperature data “surprising.” She said that high temperatures have continued for two years, even though La Niña conditions should have provided temporary relief.

Extreme weather around the world

The rising temperature has led to extreme weather conditions in many parts of the world. In Western Europe, Italy, Scandinavia, and the Baltic countries, heavy rainfall caused flooding.

Meanwhile, some regions faced dry conditions. The northern UK, Ireland, eastern Spain, and areas near the Black Sea received less rain than usual. Outside Europe, Alaska, Canada, eastern Russia, eastern Australia, southeastern Africa, and southern Brazil experienced heavy rain and floods. In contrast, places like the southwestern U.S., northern Mexico, North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia and Australia faced drought-like conditions.

Why is the temperature rising?

Human activities are the main cause of rising temperatures. When we burn fuels like coal, oil, and gas, they release gases that trap heat in the air. Cutting down trees also makes things worse because trees help absorb carbon dioxide, which can cool the Earth.

If the temperature keeps rising, we will see more bad weather, such as floods, droughts, and storms. This will affect many people around the world. 

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