Joselito Malig

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Raphael Bosano

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The year 2025 ranks as the world’s third warmest year on record, according to the Global Climate Highlights (GCH) report of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, reinforcing warnings that the planet nears breaching the 1.5-degree Celsius global warming limit set under the Paris Agreement. This, unless urgent action is taken.The GCH report shows that global average temperature in 2025 rose by 1.47°C above pre-industrial levels, slightly lower than 2024’s 1.6°C, the warmest year ever recorded, and 2023’s 1.48°C. (2024 is warmest, 2023 (second warmest), 2025 (third warmest)Despite the marginal dip, climate scientists caution that the trend remains alarming.Data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, which produced the report, show that in 2025, surface air temperatures were above the 1991-2020 average across 91 percent of the globe, with nearly half of the world experiencing much warmer-than-average conditions.<div>PH MIRRORS GLOBAL WARMING TREND</div>The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) says the country has recorded similar extremes, particularly in terms of heat index, or the body’s perceived heat.Jorybell Masallo, assistant chief of PAGASA’s Climatology and Agrometeorology Division, said several parts of the country experienced dangerous to extremely dangerous heat indices for days during warm and dry season of 2025.“Nakapagtala din tayo ng matataas na record mula Dagupan, umabot sa 52 degrees Celsius. Pati sa Zambales at Virac. So kung ano yung nangyayari globally, it also reflects dito sa atin,” Masallo said.(We’ve recorded extremely high readings. Dagupan reached 52 degrees Celsius, with near-50 levels in Zambales and Virac. What’s happening globally is also reflected here in the Philippines.)While heat index differs from actual air temperature because it factors in relative humidity, Filipinos rely heavily on these readings in making public health and safety decisions.Globally, heat stress has become increasingly prevalent. The World Health Organization identifies it as a leading cause of weather-related deaths worldwide.Experts warn that rising temperatures affect multiple sectors.“Malaki ang impact nito sa agriculture dahil naaapektuhan ang yield. Ganoon din sa water sector. Kapag dry season, kulang ang ulan kaya hindi nakakapag-imbak ng sapat ang mga dam,” Masallo said.(Rising temperatures greatly affect agricultural yield. The water sector is also impacted because during the dry season, there is less rain and dams store less water.)Hotter conditions also drive higher energy demand, forcing power regulators to carefully manage supply and prevent widespread outages.<div>WHAT’S DRIVING THE HEAT?</div>Scientists point to two main drivers behind the record warmth of recent decades: rising greenhouse gas concentrations and exceptionally high sea-surface temperatures linked to El Niño.At the policy level, global efforts to curb emissions remain contentious. This was evident during the most recent United Nations Climate Summit, where language on transitioning away from fossil fuels failed to make it into final agreements.Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) Director Laurence Rouil said human activity remains the dominant cause.“Human activity remains the dominant driver of the exceptional temperatures we are observing. Atmospheric greenhouse gases have steadily increased over the last ten years,” he said.Masallo cautioned that the slight temperature dip in 2025 should not be mistaken for progress.“Napakaaga pang masabi kung ano talaga ang dahilan kung bakit bumaba nang kaunti ang temperatura kumpara sa warmest year.”(It’s too early to say what caused the slight drop in temperature compared to the warmest year.)<div>COOLING CITIES AND PROTECTING STUDENTS</div>While cutting greenhouse gas emissions remains critical experts say local adaptation measures can help cushion communities from the impacts of extreme heat.One such intervention is the creation of green spaces.In Quezon City, the Diosdado Macapagal Elementary School became the first of three schools to transform portions of its concrete quadrangle into so-called OASIS Schoolyards. These are cooler, greener, and more climate-resilient spaces developed through partnerships between the local government and private groups.“Nagtanim kami ng mga halaman at puno, nag-design ng parks at naglagay ng bleachers sa ilalim ng puno para doon makapahinga ang mga bata. Kapag nasa ilalim ng puno, iba ang comfort,” said school principal Wilma Obras.(We planted more trees and designed parks with bleachers under them so students can stay there. Being under a tree feels much more comfortable.)Last year, schools across the country were forced to cancel classes due to extreme heat. A study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) found that around 30 out of 180 school days in 2024 were lost to extreme heat alone. When heavy rains and flooding are included, total learning disruptions exceeded 50 days.<div>WHERE ARE WE HEADED?</div>It’s been ten years since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, which aims to keep global warming below 2°C and ideally limit it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.Yet data already show global temperatures averaging 1.4°C higher in 2025, just 0.1°C below the threshold. Scientists warn that if warming continues at the pace observed over the past three decades, the world could reach 1.5°C by 2030.Copernicus clarified that temporary overshoots do not yet mean the Paris Agreement has been breached.“The corresponding forecast for 2026 is for a fourth consecutive year with an average temperature more than 1.4°C above the average for 1850-1900,” the report read.As the northeast monsoon or Amihan brings cooler air to parts of the country, PAGASA continues to warn Filipinos to prepare for hotter months ahead.Masallo said green spaces play a crucial role, but so does educating young people.“Maganda na nagiging aware sila, hindi lang naghihintay ng suspension. Naiintindihan nila na may magagawa sila, kahit simpleng pag-ga-gardening sa paaralan,” she said.(It’s good that they’re becoming more aware and not just waiting for class suspensions and that they can help in simple ways like gardening in school.)Despite increasingly erratic weather patterns, Masallo said that the warm and dry season still generally falls within predictable months, giving Filipinos time to prepare, adapt, and rethink how communities cope with extreme heat.

2025 ranks as the world’s third warmest year on record, according to the Global Climate Highlights (GCH) report of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, reinforcing warnings that the planet nears breaching the 1.5-degree Celsius global warming limit set under the Paris Agreement.

2025 ranks as the world’s third warmest year on record, according to the Global Climate Highlights (GCH) report of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, reinforcing warnings that the planet nears breaching the 1.5-degree Celsius global warming limit set under the Paris Agreement.

2025 is third warmest year; Filipinos urged to prepare for warm months following amihan

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2025 is third warmest year; Filipinos urged to prepare for warm months following amihan

Raphael Bosano,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 19, 2026 05:29 PM PHT

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