Global climate crisis drives record temperatures and extreme weather

The global climate crisis is manifesting through extreme weather events, including unprecedented heat, floods, and wildfires. On August 22, 2026, global average sea-surface temperatures reached a new daily record of approximately 21.1°C. According to Copernicus, this trend is driven by long-term human-caused warming and El Niño. The World Meteorological Organization noted that 2015–2025 comprised the 11 hottest years on record.

In Pakistan, a destructive monsoon season has caused significant devastation. Since late June 2026, heavy rainfall has led to flash floods, urban flooding, and landslides, resulting in at least 136 deaths by early August. The impact has been felt across various regions, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Punjab, and Sindh.

In the United States, climate change is intensifying drought and wildfire risks. In 2026, 44% of the country is experiencing drought. Additionally, heavy precipitation events have increased the frequency and intensity of flooding, which accounts for 90% of presidentially declared natural disasters in the U.S. These shifts also impact wildlife, such as the disappearance of snow crabs in the Bering Sea and the receding levels of the Great Salt Lake.