As the new year begins, climate scientists are delivering sobering assessments of the planet's health. The latest data indicates that 2025 is poised to be tied as the second warmest year on record, continuing a relentless trend of rising global temperatures. This news comes as analysts at Bloomberg identify 14 critical trends that will shape the climate conversation in 2026.
A Planet Heating Up: The Data Behind the Warning
The evidence for rapid climate change is unequivocal. According to NASA climate scientists, human activities have increased the atmosphere's carbon dioxide content by 50 percent in less than two centuries. This surge in heat-trapping gases is driving unprecedented warming. The EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service reports the global average temperature in 2023 was 1.48°C above pre-industrial levels, breaching the critical 1.5°C threshold in 2024 at 1.55°C.
This warming trend shows no sign of abating. 2025 is set to be the second or third warmest year on record, capping an 11-year streak of consecutive warmest years. The United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which includes researchers from British Columbia, has long warned that such warming leads to more frequent and intense wildfires and severe weather. Events like B.C.'s deadly 2021 heat dome and catastrophic flooding are cited as examples of this escalating pattern.
Atmospheric CO2 Reaches Alarming New Highs
The primary driver of this warming continues its steady climb. As of December 5, 2025, carbon dioxide levels measured at Hawaii's Mauna Loa Observatory were 426.46 parts per million (ppm), up from 424.87 ppm the previous month. This continues a dramatic rise from under 320 ppm in the 1960s. In a stark milestone, global CO2 concentrations exceeded 430 ppm in June 2025, a new record high.
Human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels and intensive livestock farming, have raised atmospheric CO2 by nearly 49 percent above pre-industrial levels since 1850. The IPCC has issued a "code red for humanity," stressing that the window to limit warming to 1.5°C is rapidly closing. Despite international agreements, the world is not on track to meet the Paris Agreement target. A UNEP report from December 2025 projects that even if current emissions targets are met, global temperatures could still rise by 2.3°C to 2.5°C this century.
Looking Ahead: 14 Climate Trends for 2026
As we move into 2026, analysts are pinpointing key areas to watch. Bloomberg has noted 14 significant trends that will define the climate landscape in the coming year. While the full details of the analysis are reserved for subscribers, the overarching message is clear: the intersection of policy, technology, finance, and extreme weather events will dominate the global agenda. The trends likely encompass the acceleration of renewable energy deployment, evolving carbon markets, climate adaptation strategies, and the increasing financial risks and opportunities associated with the transition.
The urgency for action is underscored by the visual evidence of climate change. The Associated Press has compiled a powerful year-in-review photo essay capturing the global impacts, from melting glaciers and raging wildfires to devastating floods and prolonged droughts. These images put a human face on the scientific data, reminding us that the climate crisis is not a future abstraction but a present reality.
For British Columbians, these global trends have direct local implications. The province's recent history of climate-related disasters serves as a potent preview of what scientists warn could become more common. Staying informed through credible sources and supporting science-based policy remains crucial as the world navigates the challenges of 2026 and beyond.
