{"id":170881,"date":"2026-01-14T16:13:39","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T05:13:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.climatecouncil.org.au\/?post_type=resource&p=170881"},"modified":"2026-01-14T16:19:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T05:19:11","slug":"bronze-medal-nobody-wants-2025-earths-third-hottest-year","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/www.climatecouncil.org.au\/resources\/bronze-medal-nobody-wants-2025-earths-third-hottest-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Bronze Medal Nobody Wants: 2025 Earth\u2019s Third-Hottest Year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

New data from Europe\u2019s leading climate agency shows 2025 was just 0.13\u00b0C away from being the hottest year on record, underscoring a stark truth: global heating fuelled by climate pollution is driving worsening fire and flood conditions in Australia right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The <\/em>Copernicus annual global climate summary showed 2025 was the third hottest year on record, and that the past 11 years have been the 11 hottest years ever documented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time, Earth\u2019s average temperature over three consecutive years (2023-2025) rose above 1.5\u00b0C of global warming – a threshold scientists warn dramatically increases the risk of extreme weather and human harm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate Councillor and leading scientist, Professor Lesley Hughes, said:<\/strong> \u201cThis latest climate data reveals what Australians are already experiencing: pollution from coal, oil and gas is heating our atmosphere and oceans, driving worsening extreme weather. Climate change is driving more explosive fire conditions, just like we\u2019ve seen in Victoria this past week where sadly hundreds of homes were destroyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJust a few weeks into 2026, Australians have also been pummelled by heatwaves in Southern Australia, and floods and a tropical cyclone in Queensland. All signs point to the need to act right now, not tomorrow. Every action to cut climate pollution helps secure a safer future for ourselves and our families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAustralia is reducing pollution in our energy sector but we need to go harder and faster right across our economy. Our leaders can\u2019t keep talking about this crisis and also rubber stamp new coal and gas approvals.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate Councillor and leading economist, Nicki Hutley, said: <\/strong>\u201cClimate pollution is driving more dangerous and costly disasters today, and Australians are footing the bill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2025, the world’s third hottest year, we saw floods in Queensland, NSW, and storm damage from Cyclone Alfred that cost more than $2 billion in insured losses<\/a>. \u201cEven Australians who avoided flood, storm or fire damage will still pay ever higher insurance premiums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe also know that the cost of climate-fuelled disasters is wide ranging. Our research with PropTrack shows homes in flood zones are collectively worth about $42 billion less due to the risk of floods. We are also paying through lost farm production and higher food prices, lost productivity in sectors such as construction, and higher health costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs an economist, the cost\/benefit equation of climate action is a no-brainer. Letting climate change rip is far more expensive than the investment needed in renewable energy and storage, cleaner transport, and other sectors. We just need to get on with it and fast.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Copernicus\u2019 key climate records from 2025:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n