From December 2024 to February 2025, human-induced climate change left a significant mark on global temperatures, according to a report by Climate Central.
The study has revealed that at least one in five people worldwide experienced daily temperatures strongly influenced by climate change during this period. This alarming trend underscores the growing impact of fossil fuel emissions on the planet.
Using the Climate Shift Index (CSI), the analysis quantified how much human activities, particularly the burning of coal, oil, and methane gas, contributed to temperature anomalies. The findings were stark: nearly 394 million people endured 30 or more days of risky heat levels, with Africa bearing the brunt as 74% of these individuals resided on the continent. Risky heat days are defined as those with temperatures hotter than 90% of historical local averages from 1991 to 2020.
Cities and Countries Under Pressure
The report highlighted that in half of the 220 countries analysed, the average person experienced at least a month of temperatures strongly influenced by climate change. Similarly, residents in 287 cities worldwide faced these elevated temperatures for extended periods. In the United States alone, over 71 million people encountered two weeks or more of such conditions, with western cities particularly affected.
Alaska stood out globally, recording an average winter temperature nearly 6.9°F above its seasonal norm—a striking indicator of climate change’s influence.
Health and Environmental Risks
The intensification of extreme heat events poses severe risks to human health and ecosystems. Heat-related illnesses are becoming more prevalent as temperatures rise beyond local thresholds, while ecosystems struggle to adapt to rapid environmental changes.
Kristina Dahl, Vice President of Science at Climate Central, emphasised that “climate change is not a distant threat but a present reality.” The increasing frequency and severity of heat events reveal a dangerous pattern that will worsen unless urgent action is taken to reduce fossil fuel dependence.
The Path Forward
As global temperatures continue to climb, international cooperation is critical to mitigating climate change’s effects. Efforts must focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and developing adaptive strategies to protect vulnerable populations from escalating heat risks.
This winter serves as a stark reminder that climate change is no longer an abstract concept—it is a daily reality for billions around the globe.
