World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Secretary-General Celeste Saulo has issued a stark warning that 2025 is poised to be one of the hottest years on record, with global temperatures dangerously approaching the limits established by the Paris Agreement. Addressing delegates at the General Plenary of the Belém Climate Summit, Saulo highlighted the alarming findings of the latest State of the Climate Update for 2025, which emphasizes an accelerating trend of global warming.
In her speech, Saulo emphasized the immutable laws of physics, saying, “We cannot defy the laws of physics. Science does not lie. The alarming streak of exceptional temperatures continues.” The WMO report indicates that the average global temperature from January to August 2025 has exceeded pre-industrial levels by approximately 1.42°C. Greenhouse gas concentrations are currently the highest they have been in 800,000 years, with a notable rise in carbon dioxide levels occurring faster than any time previously recorded between 2023 and 2024.
Saulo also pointed to the serious implications of these changes, including record high ocean heat content, which is causing irreversible damage to marine ecosystems and economic structures related to them. Long-term sea level rises continue, and the Arctic and Antarctic regions are seeing unprecedented low levels of sea ice. “Destructive weather events such as flash floods, heatwaves, and intensified tropical cyclones are becoming commonplace, leaving enduring effects on communities long after the immediate media attention fades,” Saulo added.
Highlighting the critical situation, Saulo warned that without immediate action, it will soon be “virtually impossible” to keep global warming below the crucial threshold of 1.5°C without temporarily overshooting targets set in international agreements. “Every fraction of a degree matters,” she reiterated.
Despite these concerning statistics, Saulo conveyed a message of hope for the future, noting advancements in adaptation and resilience initiatives. She mentioned that effective early warning systems and climate services are proving life-saving and empowering communities to prepare for adverse conditions. “Across the globe, early warnings are saving lives. We are closing gaps in the world’s most vulnerable regions, helping communities act before hazards strike,” she said.
In concluding her address, Saulo called on world leaders to recognize the urgency of these challenges during the upcoming COP30 climate conference in Brazil. “Let COP30 be remembered as the moment the world changed course with the Amazon as its witness. We can’t rewrite the laws of physics, but we can rewrite our path,” Saulo declared, emphasizing the critical importance of unity and action in the face of climate change.
These insights resonate with previous findings from the WMO, which reported that 2024 was the hottest year on record, with global temperatures rising above pre-industrial levels by 1.55°C. This pattern of escalating temperatures links directly to the imperative need for increased global collaboration toward sustainable solutions and effective carbon emission reductions. The collective international effort exemplified at these climate summits provides a hopeful opportunity for transformative advancements and a more resilient future.