Are you hot right now? Scientists warn: this might be the coolest summer we will remember
Heatwaves, fires, droughts, and floods are becoming the "new normal," and 2026 may be the hottest year in history. Scientists warn of approaching tipping points in critical climate systems and a food crisis that could push tens of millions into hunger. Alongside the dire forecasts, experts emphasize: it is still possible to halt the process.
The world is currently experiencing what scientists call the new normal, where extreme heatwaves and unprecedented temperatures are becoming routine. Experts warn that this reality will only worsen every year unless global efforts to address the climate crisis are doubled.
According to recent scientific analyses, the combination of ongoing climate change with an especially powerful El Niño phenomenon makes 2026 the leading candidate to be the hottest year ever recorded.
Climate scientists emphasize that the current situation is exactly what the scientific community predicted decades ago, but they reiterate that the future is not predetermined. Every ton of carbon dioxide prevented from being emitted will reduce the severity of future impacts and limit the magnitude of expected damage.
This summer, despite being dangerous and terrifying across the globe, may be remembered as one of the coolest in the rest of our lives if we continue to burn coal, oil, and gas and destroy nature.
A world in flames and thirst: global destruction and threats to human survival
The damage seen today is unprecedented and points to a rapid deterioration of ecosystems. In Europe, massive fires have consumed thousands of square kilometers of land in resort areas in Spain and France, taking a heavy toll on human life.
Major rivers, serving as industrial and transport arteries, have reached historically low levels. The Rhine River has dried up to the point of threatening the industrial heart of Europe, and in the Danube, the remains of lost Nazi warships were exposed due to the extreme drop in water levels.
The El Niño phenomenon, which includes periodic warming of the Pacific Ocean, is expected to worsen the situation in the coming months and wreak havoc on global weather systems, with forecasts of extreme rain and floods in some regions compared to devastating droughts in others. Analyses indicate that the current El Niño may be the strongest ever documented.
The systemic dangers are even more worrying than the immediate damage. A report published by 160 scientists warns that even if warming levels remain below 2 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average, we could see a total collapse of critical climate systems that humanity depends on for its survival.
These systems include the Amazon rainforest, the permafrost in the Arctic, and the critical cycle of currents in the Atlantic Ocean (AMOC). As of now, scientists estimate that the world is already at a warming level of about 1.3 degrees, bringing us dangerously close to these tipping points.
The most immediate and painful consequence is the global food crisis: the World Food Programme estimates that up to 50 million people could be pushed into a state of acute hunger before the end of next year. The number of people facing food crises has already doubled in the last decade, while international aid to poor countries is at a ten-year low.
The path to change: necessary solutions to curb warming
Despite the gloomy forecasts, climate experts emphasize that the problem is still solvable and there is a real chance to stabilize the Earth's climate if we act now. The most central and urgent solution is a rapid cessation of the use of fossil fuels—coal, oil, and gas—and a shift to massive investment in renewable energy sources.
Achieving the Net Zero target is the scientifically proven path we must walk at maximum speed to return the climate to balance. Every fraction of a degree of warming we manage to prevent is significant and critical for reducing impacts on future generations.
In addition to reducing emissions, countries must act quickly to adapt existing infrastructure to the reality of an extreme climate. This includes redesigning cities and landscapes to better cope with floods, heatwaves, and prolonged droughts. We must also work to lower global energy demand and actively protect nature.
Governments have the responsibility not only to declare commitment to climate goals but to practically reduce the gap between commitments and policy implemented on the ground. As scientists point out, the climate crisis is the defining challenge of our time, where informed decisions and sustained action can shape a safer future for all.
