Where things stand on climate change in 2026

DANA NUCCITELLI / YALE CLIMATE CONNECTIONS – The year that just ended saw numerous records broken on climate and clean energy.

It was the second-hottest year on record at Earth’s surface, behind only 2024. The high temperatures were shocking for a year with a La Niña event. La Niñas draw cold water up to the surface of the Pacific Ocean, and hence are relatively cool years at Earth’s surface, while El Niño events have the opposite effect. 2025 was by far the hottest year with a La Niña event …