Imagine a time when the Earth was cooler, and natural disasters were extremely rare. There was such a time, but it was nearly two centuries ago. Since 1850, climate change has been escalating significantly, and this unavoidable crisis is now staring us in the face. Now, in 2026, the heat is on, with a rare phenomenon being inevitable. Does mankind play a sole role in this escalating problem, or is there another factor at play? Experts have analyzed the trends over the years and have come to a conclusion.
Climate change: A crisis escalating since 1850
Our actions today will play a significant role in the daily lives of future generations. Mankind has always been driven to evolve, curious and eager to discover new places and create new inventions that improve our lives. But one cannot anticipate whether these discoveries and inventions will truly be beneficial in the long run. This is evident with earlier generations.
Before the first Industrial Revolution, life was slower, temperatures were cooler, people relied on hard physical work and wind and water to get the job done. Unfortunately, it was also a time when deforestation increased to make way for agriculture, not knowing how it would contribute to a modern-day crisis.
Then came the first revolution, and everything changed. From 1850, carbon footprints became significantly evident, as fossil fuels became the new norm, greenhouse gas emission levels were suddenly extreme, and pollution became unavoidable. According to Britannica, climate change can be traced back to this period. Now, in 2026, we are all feeling the heat.
Feeling the heat: A rare phenomenon
Climate change has resulted in quite a few harsh effects, some of which mankind has recently begun experiencing significantly. Not even island regions that have gone 100% solar remain untouched, as one island nation’s survival is being threatened by the effects of climate change. And they are not alone.
One of the most obvious indicators of climate change is the rise in temperatures, or global warming. Berkeley Earth’s Global Temperature Report for 2025 has discovered a rare phenomenon. The non-profit has been monitoring global mean temperatures for the past 13 years, and data and average measurements dating back to 1850 have been used to determine Earth’s temperature trends.
The report concluded that the last 11 years have been the hottest ever recorded since 1850, and that the top three hottest years were:
- 2023 (hottest year in recorded history)
- 2024 (second-hottest year in recorded history)
- 2025 (third-hottest year in recorded history)
Never say never: The outlook for 2026
While some believe that the temperatures declining in 2025 may indicate that the planet is cooling, it is important to note that the warming average is still above pre-industrial levels. So, what’s in store for 2026?
Experts predict that 2026 will be the 13th year in a row that global average temperatures will be higher than 1°C (33.8°F) above pre-industrial measurements. Furthermore, Berkeley Earth’s report predicts that a 2026 average temperature will follow the same trend as the 2025 average temperature, and that it will most likely be the fourth-hottest year in recorded history.
According to an analysis statement on CBC:
“The unprecedented global temperatures over the last few years can be partly attributed to the strong El Niño event in 2023 to 2024, compounded by ongoing human-induced global warming.”
Going forward, global warming predictions for the future have become increasingly difficult due to the 2023 to 2025 deviation from the years before. While global warming has been increasing at a linear rate, these years have indicated a sudden and rapid increase. The report further concludes that the trend may continue linearly at these higher temperatures, but one must never say never. There may be a 51% chance that 2026 will be the fourth-hottest year, but anything can happen. One thing is certain: a green shift in oil and gas is needed.
