Understanding and responding to a growing human-caused predicament
When entering retirement in 2007 I turned my attention to grappling with the growing issue of climate change and its obvious harmful effects. After a short time studying the issue, I became acutely aware of humanity’s blindness in continuing a pro-growth trajectory that inevitably leads to a catastrophically unsustainable future.
Almost two decades later, the size, scope, scale, and speed of that trajectory has continued increasing, with multifold harmful outcomes. For years, scientific consensus warned that the global temperature rise must not exceed more than 1.5C (2.7F), at which point dangerous climate conditions would increase, with the potential for endangering nine identified planetary boundaries.
Voila! The scientific community was spot on. Seven of the nine planetary boundaries have since been crossed. Moreover, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric (NOAA), CO2 emissions in 2008 were measured at 384.9ppm (parts per million). As of today, the count stands at 424.57ppm, an increase of approximately 40ppm!
Alas, for a larger view consider that for around 6,000 years the ppm-level prior to the Industrial Revolution was mostly consistent at around 280ppm. That’s an increase of 144ppm! If this figure fails to raise emergency-level alarm regarding climate change, what will?
The original goal of climate-focused organizations, notably 350.org, was to convey the importance of not exceeding 350ppm, if at all possible. (Bear in mind that this represented 70ppm above the pre-industrial historical average.) And, now, we’re approaching 425ppm, with no end in sight.
Sadly, the driving forces behind climate change can be attributed to the exponential growth of human population, in tandem with excessive consumption of carbon-based fuels, chiefly coal, oil, and natural gas that formed over the past 350-million years. Just think. What natural processes have created over the past 350-million years humanity has managed to deplete within a 200-year timeframe. Hence, most of the more attainable sources are depleted, and what remains is harder to locate and extract—and also more damaging to fragile ecosystems.
This scant background explanation is meant as preparation for the information that follows, presenting a plethora of major heat and extreme-weather events reported by media networks in 2025. Not surprisingly, global warming (heating) is identified as the chief driver of climate change, and the human superorganism as the main driver of global warming.
A Highly Complex and Complicated Socioecological Predicament
By now it should be apparent that my reason for writing about this is to raise greater awareness regarding the growing level of socioecological danger the world is facing. In short, largely due to our anthropocentric worldview, we are enmeshed in a metacrisis that threatens the existing and future well-being of all lifeforms and planetary ecosystems. With climate-change’s accumulating effects growing more evident this year, it seems this life-endangering topic deserves greater public awareness.
Currently, the sociopolitical (sociopathic?) shenanigans contributing to the metacrisis affects every aspect of life, especially in the U.S. As we learn daily, the current crop of national political leaders represents a sizeable coterie of authoritarian-tending political hacks subservient to authoritarian beliefs and goals that are harmfully transforming most aspects of civic life. Based on all socioecological standards and measures, the polarized global scene is truly “unprecedented” in modern times.
But this isn’t the time for addressing all alarming conditions. Every rational person is bombarded with an onslaught of distressing news about the types of farcical, inconsistent, unrealistic, and devastating human developments chipping away at the underpinnings of society and the ecosphere. For certain, the current global trend of our species’ pro-growth obsession does not bode well for a long-term future sustainable existence.
An Overview of Climate-Change Impacts in the First Half of 2025
Since this post required identifying the vast pool of major extreme-weather events, I turned to ChatGPT. In attempting to cover all relevant topics, I began with submitting a 138-worded question requesting information regarding all of the issues addressed in the following section. The chatbot quickly provided sufficient responses, and after studying the data, I decided to include most of it, with modifications in style, form, structure, and updates. All information was checked for sources and accuracies, most of which covers weather events occurring prior to mid August. Due to space limitations, the main focus is placed on North America (Canada and U.S.) the UK, and Europe.
Global Anomalies
July 2025 was Earth’s third-warmest July on record, with global surfaces averaging 1.25°C above preindustrial norms. Over the prior 12 months, temperatures were 1.53°C above baseline, briefly breaching the Paris Agreement threshold (AP News). The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warns of an 80% chance of a new annual global heat record before 2029, and a 70% likelihood that the five-year average exceeds 1.5°C above preindustrial; for the first time, a 1% chance exists that a year may hit 2°C before 2030 (The GuardianAP News).
Global nighttime warming, known as the “silent killer”, is increasing and spreading globally. Nearly 50% of Earth’s surface has seen record or near-record overnight minimum temperatures since June. The U.S., parts of Europe, and Asia are particularly impacted, as record humidity and elevated "dew points" trap heat and prevent recovery at night. Health risks include cardiovascular strain, immune dysfunction, and increased mortality, especially in urban areas (The Washington Post).
Europe – Intensifying Wildfires and Heatwaves
European countries experienced an estimated 2,300-plus excess deaths in a 10-day period—with around 65% attributable to human-induced climate change (Wikipedia). Across Europe, 400,000 hectares burned, 87% above the 20-year average (The Guardian).
In southern Europe, a sweeping heatwave spanning over 20 European countries from late May to mid-June shattered national and regional records, with Mora, Portugal reaching 46.6°C (115.88F) on June 29th(Wikipedia). Spain and Portugal are enduring unprecedented wildfires and lethal heat: Spain has lost over 348,000 hectares—exceeding 2022’s record, and Portugal has lost 216,000 hectares. More than 31,000 people were evacuated in Spain alone (The Guardian). Southern France recorded temps up to 12°C above historical averages, with a single blaze consuming 16,000 hectares, the size of Paris (The Guardian). Globally, heat levels are causing glaciers and ice packs to melt, as the past (distant view) and present (closer view) photos of Italy’s Vinto glacier indicate.
UK – Heat and Drought in the ‘Rainy’ Isle
The UK is on track for its sunniest, warmest year on record. By July, over 1,200 sunshine hours were recorded (250 above 2005–2025 average). Summer rainfall remains insufficient, leading to hosepipe bans affecting 8.5-million households and several regions under drought declarations (The Times). Wildfires have torched over 41,000 hectares, accompanied by a strain on reduced firefighting manpower, which is down 25% since 2008 (The Times). An ongoing moorland wildfire near RAF Fylingdales—called Langdale Moor wildfire—was declared a major incident, with smoke observed up to 80 miles away (Wikipedia).
Canada – Wildfires Everywhere
As of early August, 4,251 wildfires across Canada displaced around 40,000 people, and caused two civilian fatalities (Wikipedia). So far, Canada’s 2025 wildfire season remains the second worst on record, including over 7.3-million hectares burned, nearly 78% above the recent 5-year average (The GuardianPhys.org).Fires are now raging in prairie provinces and Atlantic Canada, regions historically less affected, underscoring changing climate patterns (The Guardian+1). Smoke impacts extend across North America, prompting air quality alerts affecting an estimated 81-million Americans (Carbon Brief).
United States – Heat Extremes and Wildfires in Western States
It’s been a record-breaking heat and wildfire season in the U.S. As of mid-July, the U.S. has lost more than 2.8-million acres burned in over 40,600 fires, with a Level-4 national preparedness status. In our state of Minnesota, the three largest fires in mid-May burned 30.000 acres and damaged more than 150 structures (Center for Disaster Philanthropy).
In Arizona, more than 400 heat-related deaths are suspected in Maricopa County, 35 confirmed and 369 under investigation. Temperatures hovered above 110°F, with a record 118°F high. (The Guardian).Meanwhile, 180,000 acres burned across Arizona and other western states, including the Dragon Bravo Fire on the north side of the Grand Canyon, which has burned 145,498 acres, destroyed an historic lodge, and still burns.
California continues experiencing fire dangers, including the Gifford Fire in Southern California, which has scorched 131,589 acres, making it the third-largest U.S. wildfire of 2025 (Wikipedia). The state is experiencing increasing monsoon humidity and heat, plus dry lightning and escalating fire risk. An above-normal major heat wave is moving in that’s 10–15°F above normal, with inland zones hitting 100°F and even coastal areas like San Francisco and Oakland becoming unusually warm (San Francisco Chronicle).
In Colorado, 200,000 acres have burned this year. the Lee Fire (near Meeker) spans approximately137,755 acres and continues, ranking among the largest in state history. The nearby Elk Fire (Meeker & Buford) has burned around 14,518 acres and is finally contained. The Turner Gulch fire has burned 31,698 acres and is 80% contained Colorado Newsline).
U.S. Economic and Health Impacts
Between 2006–2020, the U.S. economic and health toll of climate change’s extreme-weather impacts contributed to around 15,000 deaths from wildfire PM₂.₅ pollution, and an economic burden of $160 billion (NatureHarvard Public Health). A Harvard study adds that wildfire smoke imposes roughly $11 billion annually in health-related costs in North America (Harvard Public Health).
During the first half of 2025, the U.S. experienced 12 billion-dollar disasters, mostly due to severe thunderstorms and flooding. Total losses amount to around $33 billion, marking the fourth-highest first-half loss in recorded history (Yale Climate Connections). Historically, from 1980–2024 the U.S. recorded 403 billion-dollar climate disasters, with nearly 17,000 lives lost and over $2.9 trillion in damages (Climate Central).
Asia, Africa, South America, and Australia – Extreme Heat, Drought, and Wildfires
The India–Pakistan Region represents a major disaster area deserving special mention. In addition to deadly flooding events, from April to July a severe heatwave saw temperatures in parts of India and Pakistan soar to 48°C, with 195 fatalities in April and 260 in May, plus massive agricultural disruptions and power-grid strain (Wikipedia). Drought conditions were present or developing in various parts of Asia, the results of extreme heat, and both Japan and Korea experienced some of their worst wildfires in a generation (Climate Central).
Sub-Saharan Africa continues to grapple with multi-year droughts, putting millions at risk of hunger and displacement. While less explicitly detailed, given the overall global trends it's highly probable that some regions in Africa experienced intense heat during the year. With the exception of the Table Mountain fire near Cape Town, South Africa, information regarding wildfires in Africa outside of North Africa is limited in the provided search results. However, as the chart at the end of this section shows, between 2002 to 2021, Africa experienced the highest exposure to wildfires.
In South America, the highest number of fire outbreaks (511,575) in 14 years occurred in 2024, with Brazil at the epicenter. In 2025, from January to June, Amazon deforestation alerts covered 2,090 square kilometers (806 square miles), 27% more than in the same period last year, and the highest since 2023 (Mongobay).The increasing deforestation adds to heat levels, highlighting the potential for drought conditions exacerbating the fires.
Australia has been significantly impacted by floods, including cyclones Zelia and Alfred, indicating the presence of extreme weather events in the country. The summer of 2024-2025 saw the longest, largest, and most intense marine heatwave on record for Western Australia, leading to the most widespread coral bleaching event ever recorded for the state, including the sixth mass bleaching at the Great Barrier Reef. The country is also enduring harsher fire seasons, according to the State of the Climate 2024 report.
Click on the image to enlarge.
Health and Economic Outcomes of Heat and Wildfires
Maternal and child health has been affected by heat and wildfires. A report from the London School of Hygiene reveals that extreme heat and air pollution contribute to miscarriages, low birth weights, pre-term births, higher infant mortality, and even postpartum depression. One-billion children are already at extreme risk globally (Vox). Also, smog and wildfire smoke heighten asthma attacks and other respiratory issues (PMC.)
Economically, the resultant health costs from climate change-related air pollution and extreme events impose more than $820 billion annually in the U.S. alone (NRDC). Moreover, repeated billion-dollar disasters strain insurance systems, emergency response capacity, and governments, effectively highlighting the economic fragility bred by failing to address climate change at its root.
Carbon Sequestration, Ecosystems and Food Security
A study shows that extreme events—heatwaves, droughts, heavy precipitation—compromise terrestrial carbon sequestration by altering primary productivity and ecosystem respiration, with variations by season and specific locations (arXiv). Food security has been threatened by the heatwaves in South Asia, disrupting crop cycles (e.g., mango, lychee, wheat) and contributing to livestock losses (Wikipedia).
Systemic Threats – Societal and Geopolitical
Because of increasing urban sprawl and exposure to polluted air, cities like Athens, Dallas, Lisbon, Sydney, and Cape Town are labeled “sitting ducks,” facing compounded threats from wildfires, floods, heatwaves, and infrastructure failures (Financial Times). Though less documented in these sources, climate disruptions are widely recognized as drivers of human migration, resource competition, and geopolitical instability. Crowded urban areas are particularly vulnerable to unsustainable living conditions, as are densely-populated low-elevation coastal areas highly susceptible to rising sea levels and flooded regions, another dire result of global heating.
Governments of nations and municipalities will be severely challenged in dealing with strained infrastructures and governance. Ongoing climate-change disasters will force governments to deploy militaries and firefighting troops, provide cooling centers and manage living costs. Global solidarity and political reactions in making international climate pacts illustrate both reactive efforts and political momentum. Yet, a sense of urgency remains variable.
Metacrisis Framing – Anthropocentrism as the Root Cause
What unites all these crises—heatwaves, fires, ecosystem collapse, health calamities, economic shocks, social unrest—is the anthropogenic drive prioritizing short-term gain over planetary well-being. As described, the metacrisis is the cumulative reckoning of this worldview, manifesting through: Feedback Loops, such as fires that reduce carbon sequestration, worsen climate change, and spark more fires; Compound Impacts, where environmental stressors amplify social vulnerabilities; and Systemic Vulnerabilities in finances, health, governance, and geopolitics.
Wrap Up
Whew, that’s plenty of data to digest in one reading. The numerous complex interactions and systemic entanglements, in addition to a host of related factors, are so extensive that making sense of it all can present an overwhelming psycho-emotional challenge.
Even so, based on the growing evidence of climate-change symptoms and effects, the desired goal (and hope) is that more humans will gain a deeper understanding regarding the size, scope, scale, and speed of the developing human predicament. Hopefully, anyone reading this entire article will have gained a clearer perception regarding the severity of our collective socioecological predicament. According to a common colloquialism, “It ain’t purdy, that’s for dang sure”.
I imagine by now you’ve had enough brain stressing, and are ready for a break, so I’ll close with this plea: As we continue gaining awareness of our anthropocentric predicament, may we be empowered, individually and collectively, to undertake the transformative action needed for advancing the ultimate good of all conscious beings and the bio-ecosphere, the ultimate source of all life-giving sustenance.
By the same author:
Air ~ The Breath of Life
Water ~ Lifeblood of the Earth (Part 1)
Water ~ Current and Future Prospects (Part 2)
Soil ~ The Foundation of Life
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Clifton Ware, D.M., emeritus professor (voice), professional singer and author of four published books and two unpublished works, retired in 2007 from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities School of Music, where he taught for 37 years. Since retiring, as a self-described socio-ecological philosopher he has spent 15 years focusing on sustainability issues, in the process of acquiring an evidence-based, big-picture understanding of all principal societal and ecological systems, including the symbiotic interconnections and role of humans as an integral part of Nature. In 2013 he founded Citizens for Sustainability in St. Anthony Village, MN, produced Sustainability News + Views (2014-2019), a weekly newsletter featuring a variety of articles and a commentary, co-composed 13 Eco Songs with his wife, Bettye, organized Sustainability Forums, and performed eco-oriented programs and presentations for several organizations.
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