During the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, Turkey, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the world is now facing a new reality characterized by climate extremes. He urged global leaders to take immediate action by cutting emissions, phasing out fossil fuels, and providing financial support to vulnerable nations.
Guterres noted that a significant El Niño phenomenon is intensifying the effects of climate change. He stated, “A supersized El Niño is colliding with a planet already superheated by manmade climate change,” calling for a serious commitment from leaders to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and deliver crucial financial assistance.
His remarks coincided with a report from the UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) announcing that 2026 continues to record exceptionally high global temperatures, leading to melting ice and rising sea levels. The WMO reported that each of the past twelve years has been among the hottest on record, with 2026 anticipated to be one of the hottest overall. Current forecasts predict that this year’s global average surface temperature could be around 1.47 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
Celeste Saulo, the WMO chief, expressed concern that the strong El Niño could exacerbate heat and extreme weather conditions, with predictions for another potentially record-breaking year in 2027. She emphasized the necessity of preparedness due to the likelihood of intensified heatwaves and storms.
Moreover, the WMO indicated that the global sea level is at a record high, freshwater resources are dwindling, and glaciers are retreating at alarming rates. The organization reported that the loss of ice in 2025 equated to a volume capable of filling five Olympic-sized swimming pools every second throughout that year.
Despite the challenges, the WMO noted an increase in the number of countries equipped with essential early warning systems, rising from 55 in 2015 to 136 in the previous year. Saulo highlighted the importance of continued investment in global data collection and forecasting to enhance these systems, stating, “We cannot afford to fly blind.”
