As temperatures rise, the world is preparing for an uncertain and threatening future, which requires urgent action to avoid environmental collapse.
The year 2024 has become the hottest year on record, with the global average temperature exceeding pre-industrial levels by 1.5°C. This milestone ends a decade characterized by extreme heat and devastating weather events such as floods, cyclones and forest fires. A reported that, between January and September 2024, the average air temperature at the surface of the globe was 1.54°C higher than the pre-industrial average. In response to this data, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the urgent need to drastically reduce deaths by 2025, warning that humanity is “on the path to disaster” if significant measures are not adopted.
The advancement of denialist movements and populist policies against climate action represents a significant obstacle. The possible withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement, under the leadership of , and the rise of right-wing parties in Europe threaten to compromise global efforts to mitigate . Brazil, in particular, faces imminent challenges. Forecasts indicate that the summer of 2025 could be one of the most intense on record, with high temperatures and extreme weather events, such as droughts and intense rains, impacting agriculture, public health and the population’s daily lives. Furthermore, the possible occurrence of the phenomenon in late 2024 or early 2025 could further intensify these conditions, exacerbating climate challenges in the country.
Given this scenario, it is imperative that governments, companies and civil society intensify their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adopt more ambitious environmental policies. Inaction or regression in climate policies not only compromises the environment, but also puts the health, safety and well-being of present and future generations at risk. In 2025, the UN plans to focus on actions to preserve glaciers, highlighting the importance of the cryosphere — frozen regions of the Earth — and the need to raise awareness about the accelerated melting of these critical areas. The international community must see 2025 as a decisive year for implementing concrete measures that reverse the current trajectory and ensure a sustainable future for the planet.
*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Jovem Pan.
