According to Roman Vilfand, who serves as the scientific director of the Russian Hydrometeorological Center, this year is projected to be the warmest on record since systematic meteorological observations began. The claim—reported by TASS—reflects a consensus among senior climate researchers that recent warming trends are sustained by both human activities and natural climate fluctuations. The latest data from the World Meteorological Organization reinforces that in the northern hemisphere, monthly temperatures reached unprecedented highs in November and December, and the year as a whole is on a trajectory toward record warmth on a global scale. These findings underscore a pattern of rising heat that is not confined to a single region but is felt worldwide, influencing weather, ecosystems, and human systems across continents. (attribution: World Meteorological Organization)
Vilfand points to two dominant drivers behind this warming trend: an ongoing rise in greenhouse gas concentrations and unusual warmth in the Pacific Ocean. The atmospheric burden of climate-active gases—carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane—has continued to climb, amplifying the planet’s heat-trapping capacity. At the same time, the Pacific Ocean shows episodes of higher-than-average sea surface temperatures, which interact with atmospheric patterns to elevate global temperatures. The combination of these factors helps explain why many regions experience heat records while weather patterns become more volatile. (attribution: World Meteorological Organization)
Analyses indicate that the concentration of climate-active gases remains on an upward path, a trend tied to industrial activity, energy choices, and land-use changes. When these gases accumulate in the atmosphere, they trap heat and contribute to longer, hotter summers and altered precipitation regimes. This situation is intensified when natural climate patterns such as El Niño come into play, creating conditions that raise average temperatures worldwide and shift typical seasonal expectations. The broader implication is a heightened risk of heat-related stress on health, agriculture, water resources, and infrastructure around the globe. (attribution: World Meteorological Organization)
Experts note that El Niño, a recurrent Pacific feature characterized by warmer sea surface temperatures, tends to amplify global warmth. While the exact duration can vary, the current phase is expected to continue influencing weather patterns for months, with lingering effects that can persist into the following year. This means that even as specific seasons arrive, the likelihood of unusually warm conditions remains elevated, which in turn affects crop cycles, energy demand, and disaster preparedness strategies. (attribution: World Meteorological Organization)
In a separate line of inquiry, researchers at Western Sydney University in Australia examined the carbon dynamics of forests, focusing on how trees capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in light of updated plant physiology insights. Their investigations suggest that forests possess a greater capacity to sequester greenhouse gases than previously estimated, highlighting the pivotal role of forest ecosystems in climate mitigation. By analyzing leaf-level processes, root systems, and overall forest productivity, the team concluded that conserved and expanding forest cover can substantially dampen the trajectory of atmospheric CO2, offering a natural counterweight to warming trends. This work aligns with broader scientific efforts to quantify the contribution of terrestrial ecosystems to climate stabilization and underscores the importance of protecting and restoring forested landscapes as part of comprehensive climate strategy. (attribution: Western Sydney University)
Beyond these scientific updates, United Nations agencies have warned that dust and sand storms are increasingly cross-cutting climate phenomena. The expansion of arid conditions in various regions, compounded by land-use changes and atmospheric transport, has led to episodes of degraded air quality and visibility, with health and ecological consequences. The global community is encouraged to strengthen monitoring networks, improve air quality standards, and support resilience measures for communities most exposed to these dust events. (attribution: United Nations)