The climate crisis is tightening its grip, with greenhouse gas concentrations reaching fresh records as soils dry out and glaciers continue to lose ice at an alarming rate. The latest State of the Climate report, produced by the American Meteorological Society with contributions from more than 600 scientists across 60 countries, found that key climate indicators are deteriorating in line with rising atmospheric greenhouse gases. Soils are now drier than ever recorded Global soil moisture in 2025 was lower than in any year since satellite records began in 1991. The sharpest drying was seen across the Northern Hemisphere, particularly at latitudes above 55 degrees north. That matters because soil moisture helps regulate vegetation, temperatures and extreme weather. Drier ground can increase the risk of heatwaves and wildfires, creating a dangerous feedback as the planet warms. Glaciers have lost ice for 38 straight years Glaciers suffered another year of net ice loss in 2025, marking the 38th consecutive year in which they lost more ice during summer than they gained over winter. Since 1976, around 9,000 gigatonnes of water have been lost from glaciers, with 41 per cent of that loss occurring during the past decade. At least 181 glaciers have now been classified as extinct using satellite records. Greenhouse gases keep climbing The warning signs extend into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide all reached record concentrations in 2025, with global average CO₂ reaching 425.6 parts per million — around 53 per cent above pre-industrial levels. Fossil fuel emissions also hit a record, estimated at 10.3 petagrams of carbon during the year. Dr Robert Dunn of the Met Office said the last three years had been “truly exceptional”, with temperatures far above 20th-century averages. The report found 2025 was the hottest year on record without an El Niño influence, while 2023, 2024 and 2025 became the three warmest years recorded. The message from scientists is stark: rising greenhouse gases are producing climate conditions consistent with continuing human-driven warming — and the damage is increasingly visible across the planet. Rising greenhouse gas concentrations lead to ice loss and drying soils
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