State of the climate: 2025 close behind 2024 as the hottest start to a year - Carbon Brief
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Global temperatures in the first quarter of 2025 were the 2nd warmest on record, extending a remarkable run of exceptional warmth that began in July 2023.

Global temperatures in the first quarter of 2025 were the second warmest on record, extending a remarkable run of exceptional warmth that began in July 2023.

This is despite weak La Niña conditions during the first two months of the year – which typically result in cooler temperatures.

With temperature data for the first three months of the year now available, Carbon Brief finds that 2025 is very likely to be one of the three warmest years on record.

However, it currently remains unlikely that temperatures in 2025 will set a new annual record.

In addition to near-record warmth, the start of 2025 has seen record-low sea ice cover in the Arctic between January and March – and the second-lowest minimum sea ice extent on record for Antarctica.

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    • Jim East@slrpnk.netOPEnglish
      1·
      3 days ago

      Severe weather events in New Zealand

      I know that New Zealand has the ocean to buffer it against temperature extremes, but based on this image:

      it seems that the island of New Guinea, which is also east of the Wallace Line, has experienced similarly mild warming in recent decades. Maprik (3.63°S, 143.05°E) at ~200m, for example:

      seems to have a much more durian-friendly climate than even areas at sea level on the north island of New Zealand (e.g. Ahipara).

      And that’s not even Borneo. What is the advantage of New Zealand? Am I missing something?

      • Chris Remington@beehaw.orgM
        2·
        3 days ago

        Several factors determine which countries will be least affected by climate change, including geographical location, existing infrastructure, and government policies. Some countries, like New Zealand, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, and Singapore, are often cited as being more resilient to climate change impacts. These nations tend to have robust infrastructure, strong economies, and a proactive approach to climate adaptation and mitigation.

        • Jim East@slrpnk.netOPEnglish
          2·
          3 days ago

          Ah, of course. If you depend on the government and human-made infrastructure, New Zealand and Finland and the like are definitely more reliable than any countries at the equator. (Except Singapore? Interesting.) Governments don’t grow durian though.