January 2025 marked the hottest January ever recorded, surpassing the previous record set in 2024, as reported by the EU’s Copernicus program. The average surface air temperature worldwide was 1.75 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with some areas in Canada, Russia, and Scandinavia experiencing extreme variations of up to 6 degrees.

Despite the cooling effects associated with La Niña, the combination of ocean heat waves and increasing greenhouse gas emissions has accelerated global warming. Scientists warn that although recent years have experienced unprecedented heat, comprehensive long-term data is necessary to confirm whether the threshold outlined in the Paris Agreement has been permanently breached.

Experts emphasize the critical need to reduce fossil fuel dependency and diminish deforestation to mitigate rising temperatures. The Arctic, which is warming at four times the global average, continues to be a significant concern for climate scientists.