January sets 'surprising' heat record, defying La Nina cooling expectations

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🗞️ Driving the news: Last month was the hottest January on record, with global temperatures 1.75°C above pre-industrial levels, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service
• Scientists had expected temperatures to cool due to La Niña, but the heat has persisted, sparking debates about additional warming factors

🔭 The context: El Niño, a natural warming phase, peaked in early 2024, and scientists anticipated a cooling shift with La Niña
• However, ocean temperatures have remained exceptionally high, and Arctic sea ice hit a record-low January level, nearly tied with 2018
• Some researchers suggest reduced sulfur emissions from cleaner shipping fuels may be accelerating warming

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Every fraction of warming beyond 1.5°C increases the intensity of extreme weather, such as heatwaves, droughts, and heavy rainfall
• Persistent high temperatures challenge global efforts to curb climate change and meet the Paris Agreement goals
• Scientists warn that warming oceans may continue fueling extreme climate events.

⏭️ What's next: Climate experts will closely monitor ocean temperatures in 2025 to understand their role in ongoing warming trends
• While 2025 is not expected to be as hot as 2023 or 2024, it could still rank among the top three warmest years on record

💬 One quote: "This is what makes it a bit of a surprise... you're not seeing this cooling effect, or temporary brake at least, on the global temperature that we were expecting to see," - Julien Nicolas, climate scientist at Copernicus

📈 One stat: January 2025 was 1.75°C warmer than pre-industrial levels, setting a new global heat record.

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