The latest data from Copernicus reveals that January 2025 was the warmest January globally, with an average surface air temperature of 13.23°C, 0.79°C above the 1991-2020 average. This milestone marks the 18th month in the last 19 months where global temperatures have exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
The unprecedented heat is part of a larger trend, with the last 12 months — February 2024 – January 2025 — averaging 0.73°C above the 1991-2020 average and 1.61°C above pre-industrial levels. Europe experienced its second-warmest January on record, with temperatures soaring 2.51°C above average.
The extreme warmth was not limited to Europe, with above-average temperatures recorded in northeast Canada, Alaska, Siberia, southern South America, Africa, Australia, and Antarctica. In contrast, the United States, eastern Russia, the Arabian Peninsula, and mainland Southeast Asia experienced below-average temperatures.
According to Samantha Burgess, the strategic lead for Climate at European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) the trends continues from the last two years.
“January 2025 is another surprising month, continuing the record temperatures observed throughout the last two years, despite the development of La Niña conditions in the tropical Pacific and their temporary cooling effect on global temperatures. Copernicus will continue to closely monitor ocean temperatures and their influence on our evolving climate throughout 2025,” Burgess said.
Nigeria isn’t immune
Closer to home, Nigeria has not been immune to the effects of climate change. Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns have led to increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts. The country’s agricultural sector, which employs millions of people, is particularly vulnerable to these changes.
In recent years, Nigeria has experienced several devastating floods, including the 2022 floods that displaced thousands of people and destroyed crops worth billions of naira. The country’s climate is projected to become even hotter and more unpredictable in the coming decades, posing significant challenges to its economy, infrastructure, and human well-being.
As the world grapples with the escalating climate crisis, these record-breaking temperatures serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for collective action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the worst impacts of global warming. Nigeria, like many other countries, must prioritize climate resilience and adaptation efforts to protect its people and economy from the increasingly severe consequences of climate change.
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