Scientists warn of record heat, threats to climate monitoring
Summary
Scientists warn that planetary heating is accelerating with record human-induced warming, rising sea levels, and more marine heatwaves, while funding cuts threaten critical Earth observation systems essential for tracking climate change.
Key Points
- Global temperatures reached 1.39C above preindustrial levels in 2025, driven almost entirely by human activities.
- Marine heatwave days have more than tripled since 1991, reaching 65 days on average in 2025.
- Earth's energy imbalance is at a record high, doubling since the 1970s due to increased greenhouse gas emissions and reduced aerosol pollution.
- Funding and geopolitical issues threaten critical Earth observation programs like GCOS and satellite monitoring, affecting climate data collection.
