Scientists Warn of Continued Climate Extremes in 2026
Summary
Scientists warn that 2026 and 2027 could bring even more severe climate extremes as El Niño strengthens and global temperatures keep rising. The WMO says climate indicators have broken records, while world leaders at COP-31 in Turkey are set to debate fossil fuels, emissions cuts and financial support for vulnerable countries.
Key Points
- The World Meteorological Organization says the Earth's climate has gone beyond limits, with record-breaking heat, rising sea levels, stronger greenhouse gases and intensified extreme weather.
- WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo says El Niño is multiplying climate risks, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warns that the planet has entered a new era of extreme climate events.
- More than 50,000 people are estimated to have died from Europe’s heatwaves this summer, and climate-linked landslides and floods are affecting multiple countries, including Nepal, Vietnam and India.
- COP-31 has opened in Turkey, where countries will debate phasing out fossil fuels, cutting emissions and financing vulnerable nations hit by climate change.
