2025 Ranks as Third-Hottest Year in Global History
Global surface temperatures in 2025 reached their third-highest levels on record, highlighting the accelerating impact of climate change.
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) reports that the year averaged 1.4°C above pre-industrial levels, bringing the world closer to exceeding the 1.5°C target set by the Paris Agreement. This marks the latest in a series of record-breaking years, with 2023 and 2024 also among the hottest on record.
Kenya, a country already vulnerable to climate fluctuations, faced a severe setback during its crucial short-rains season in 2025. The failure of these rains, which typically replenish water supplies and support agriculture, left northern and eastern parts of the country in a state of crisis.
Regions such as Mandera, Wajir, and Marsabit recorded less than 10% of their expected rainfall, with some areas, including Wajir, seeing no rain at all. As a result, nearly 1.8 million people were affected by food insecurity by the close of the year, with this figure expected to rise further in early 2026.
Scientists have been particularly alarmed by the scale of the drought, given that it occurred despite La Niña conditions, which are usually associated with cooler temperatures. The WMO explained that the intensity of the warming caused by greenhouse gases outweighed the cooling influence of La Niña.
Additionally, a negative Indian Ocean Dipole, which disrupts rainfall patterns across East Africa, contributed to the drought’s severity. Together, these climate drivers created an unusual and prolonged period of dry weather.
The broader global picture is equally concerning. The WMO has highlighted that the past eleven years have been the warmest on record, driven primarily by rising greenhouse gas emissions. Much of this excess heat has been absorbed by the oceans, which reached unprecedented heat levels in 2025.
This not only contributes to rising sea levels but also fuels more intense storms and marine heatwaves, further threatening global ecosystems. The ongoing drought in Kenya underscores the urgent need for action to address climate change.
In response to the crisis, the Kenya Meteorological Department has advised farmers to adopt drought-resistant agricultural practices, such as mulching, using fast-maturing crops, and harvesting rainwater.
