For the first time, a major global climate report has included Earth’s energy imbalance as a key indicator of climate change. This imbalance measures how much energy the planet receives from the Sun compared to how much it sends back into space. Right now, that balance is shifting in a dangerous way. Scientists say Earth’s climate system is now more disturbed than at any time in recorded history and human activity is the main reason. The last 11 years have been the hottest ever According to the latest global climate assessment, the period from 2015 to 2025 includes the 11 warmest years ever recorded. In fact, 2025 ranks among the top three hottest years, with global temperatures about 1.43°C higher than pre-industrial levels (1850–1900). Experts say this rise is no longer a natural fluctuation. It clearly shows long-term climate change is speeding up. Scientists warn that the effects of today’s warming could last hundreds or even thousands of years. Read also: Earth’s rotation is slowing at a historic rate What is Earth’s energy imbalance? At the center of the problem is Earth’s energy imbalance the extra heat trapped inside the planet’s system. Normally, Earth absorbs and releases energy in balance. But greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are now at their highest levels in hundreds of thousands to millions of years. These gases trap more heat in the atmosphere. As a result, the imbalance has been increasing since the 1960s and reached a new record high in 2025. Oceans are absorbing most of the extra heat More than 90% of the extra heat is being absorbed by the oceans. Ocean temperatures have been rising rapidly, especially since 2005, and have stayed at record highs for nearly a decade. This warming leads to: These changes threaten marine life and coastal communities around the world. Read also: War isn’t just destructive, it has a climate cost too Ice is melting and sea levels are rising Earth’s frozen regions are shrinking quickly: Because of this, global sea levels have risen by about 11 cm since 1993, and the rate is increasing. Extreme weather is becoming the new normal In 2025 alone, events like heatwaves, floods, droughts, wildfires, tropical cyclones, and storms: Scientists say such extreme weather is becoming more frequent and more intense. Read also: Is sleep quietly aging your brain? Science says yes Experts warn that unless greenhouse gas emissions are reduced quickly, today’s climate imbalance could reshape life on Earth for centuries to come.
