IGCC Says Human Activity Drove 1.37C Warming as Marine Heatwave Days More Than Tripled
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 17
IGCC Says Human Activity Drove 1.37C Warming as Marine Heatwave Days More Than Tripled
2 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 17
Summary
Human-induced warming reached about 1.37C above pre-industrial levels, and marine heatwave days in 2025 were more than triple early-1990s levels, the latest IGCC report said.
More than 90% of excess heat trapped by human activity has gone into the ocean, while Earth’s energy imbalance — incoming energy exceeding outgoing heat — has more than doubled since the late 20th century.
That buildup is accelerating impacts: sea level has risen a record 23 cm since 1901, with the rate of rise more than doubling in recent decades and pushing flood risk higher along low-lying coasts.
The report says greenhouse gases remain the main driver, amplified by feedbacks such as ice loss, cloud changes and reduced aerosol haze that lets more sunlight reach the planet.
Climate monitoring itself is under pressure, with four of five Pacific and Atlantic observing sites set to close just as researchers warn nearly every major climate indicator is worsening.
Our climate models are underestimating Earth’s fever. What terrifying heat levels are we truly facing?
The ocean has absorbed 90% of our excess heat. What happens when this massive carbon sponge finally breaks?
With oceans in crisis, why is America dismantling its vital deep-sea monitoring network now?
Earth's Energy Imbalance Surges: Marine Heatwaves, Sea Level Rise, and the Shrinking Carbon Budget (2025-2026)
Overview
The report highlights a rapidly intensifying global warming crisis during 2025-2026, driven by a significant and accelerating Earth's energy imbalance. This imbalance is profoundly altering every part of the climate system, leading to increased ocean and continental warming, thawing permafrost, extensive ice loss, and rising sea levels. As a result, the climate system is under immense stress, with far-reaching consequences for both natural environments and human societies. The warming of the ocean surface is a clear indicator of these changes, showing how interconnected impacts are reshaping the planet and demanding urgent action.