Ole Humlum, Emeritus Professor of Physical Geography at the University of Oslo. Based on observational data rather than climate models, the report provides an evidence-based overview of global climate trends.

Key Findings

2024 was the warmest year on record in all major temperature datasets, and was significantly influenced by a strong El Niño event that persisted through much of the year.

Recent warming remains uneven, with most temperature increases occurring in the Northern Hemisphere.



The upper 1900 m of the global ocean have warmed by a modest 0.037°C since 2004, with most of this warming confined to the top 100 m near the equator.

Northern oceans (55-65°N) have cooled significantly down to 1400 m depth since 2004, while southern oceans (55-65oS) have seen slight warming at most depths (down to 1900 m) but mainly near the surface.

Sea-level rise continues at a rate of 1-2 mm per year according to tide-gauge records, well below satellite-based estimates of about 3.7 mm per year, and shows substantial local variation.

Global sea-ice extent, though below the long-term satellite average, has been stable or slightly increasing since 2018.

Global snow cover remains essentially stable across the satellite era.

Global precipitation shows no long-term trend toward wetter or drier conditions since 1901.

Storm and hurricane activity continues to fluctuate naturally, without any long-term increase in strength or frequency.

Overall observations confirm normal overall variability of average meteorological and oceanographic conditions, with no sign of an escalating climate emergency.

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