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Earth Traps Heat at Alarming New High
23 Mar
Summary
- Earth's energy imbalance reached a new high in 2025 due to greenhouse gases.
- Oceans store over 91% of excess heat, with record-high ocean heat content.
- Greenhouse gas levels in 2024 hit multi-millennial highs, impacting climate.
The Earth's energy imbalance has reached a new high in 2025, a key indicator of climate change. This imbalance, caused by increasing greenhouse gases, means the planet is trapping more heat than it releases. Oceans are bearing the brunt, storing over 91% of this excess energy and reaching record heat content.
Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide continued their upward trend in 2025. By 2024, CO2 levels were the highest in two million years, with methane and nitrous oxide also at record highs for at least 800,000 years. The annual increase in CO2 concentration in 2024 was the largest since modern measurements began.
The report also notes that 2025 was the second or third warmest year on record, with global near-surface temperatures 1.43°C above pre-industrial levels. Ocean heat content to a depth of 2,000 meters also set a new record in 2025. Glacier mass loss and Arctic sea-ice extent were also among the worst on record.
These climate shifts have cascading impacts, contributing to food insecurity, social instability, and increased risks from diseases like dengue. Workplace heat exposure affects over a third of the global workforce. The UN Secretary-General described the planet as being 'pushed beyond its limits,' urging an acceleration of the transition to renewable energy for security.
