Extreme Weather Grips the Globe: Climate Crisis Accelerates

Strategic Insights -

As record-breaking heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires ravage the globe, the urgency of the climate crisis becomes increasingly apparent. The French government remains on high alert after the largest wildfire in decades was brought under control in the southern region of Aude. With scorching temperatures still forecasted, fears of the flames reigniting persist. This alarming trend is part of a broader pattern of extreme weather events unfolding across the northern hemisphere, with Canada grappling with exceptional drought and fires, Pakistan and Hong Kong battling torrential rain, and Finland and Sweden sweltering under Mediterranean-style heatwaves.

Key Takeaways:

  • The July 2025 heatwave was among the hottest on record, according to the European.
  • The average global temperature over the past 12 months has been 1.53C above pre-industrial levels, surpassing the 1.5C target set by the.
  • In June, a group of leading French scientists publicly agreed that the Paris target of 1.5C is now out of reach as countries have failed to curb greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Northern Vietnam has been scorched by record-breaking August temperatures, with highs of over 40C on Sunday 3 and Monday 4 August – unheard of for this time of year.
  • The usually humid, fertile hub for agriculture, Hanoi, saw humidity levels plunge to just 52 percent last Monday, intensifying drought conditions and prompting concerns among farmers.
  • Iran is facing severe drought conditions, with water shortages becoming increasingly severe, as reported by RFI's correspondent in Tehran.
  • Authorities have warned that Tehran and neighbouring Alborz province – home to more than 20 million people – could run out of drinking water within six weeks.

Statistics:

  • July 2025 was the third-hottest July on record, behind July 2024 and July 2023.(1)
  • The average global temperature over the past 12 months was 1.53C above pre-industrial levels, surpassing the 1.5C target set by the.(2)
  • Vietnam saw record-breaking August temperatures, with highs of over 40C on Sunday 3 and Monday 4 August.(3)
  • The humidity level in Hanoi plunged to just 52 percent last Monday, intensifying drought conditions.(4)
  • Iran is experiencing severe drought conditions, with water shortages becoming increasingly severe.(5)
  • Tehran and Alborz province could run out of drinking water within six weeks, as warned by authorities.(6)

Sources:

1. European

2.

3. Radio France Internationale

4. RFI's correspondent in Hanoi, Jean-Pierre Fage

5. RFI's correspondent in Tehran, Siavosh Ghazi

6. Radio France Internationale