The Knowledge
2025 was hotter than it should have been – 5 influences and a dirty surprise offer clues to what’s ahead
The past three years recorded unprecedented global heat, with 2025 being particularly warm. Factors such as greenhouse gas emissions and a decline in solar activity influenced temperatures and extreme weather patterns.
Michael Wysession, Washington University in St. Louis
The past three years have been the world’s hottest on record by far, with 2025 almost tied with 2023 for second place. With that energy came extreme weather, from flash flooding to powerful hurricanes and severe droughts. Yet, by most indicators, the planet should have been cooler in 2025 than it was.
So, what happened, and what does that say about the year ahead?
As an earth and environmental scientist, I study influences that affect global temperatures year to year, such as El Niño, wildfires and solar cycles. Some make Earth hotter. Some make it cooler. And one particularly unhealthy influence has been quietly hiding a large amount of global warming – until now.
Factors that made 2025 cooler than 2024
The Earth’s climate is the result of many factors that change from year to year. Some that helped make 2025 cooler than 2024 include:
La Niña’s arrival: La Niña is part of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, a natural climate pattern that fluctuates between warm El Niño conditions and cooler La Niña conditions. During El Niño, the Pacific Ocean heats up along the equator, influencing the atmosphere in ways that can cause intense storms, droughts and heat waves around the planet. La Niña does the opposite; it’s like putting an ice pack on the atmosphere.
Both 2023 and 2024 were El Niño years, but in 2025 conditions shifted to neutral and then to La Niña starting in September.
The solar cycle: The Sun reached its solar maximum near the end of 2024, the peak of its energy output in an approximately 11-year cycle, and began declining in 2025. So, while the sun’s output was still stronger than average in 2025, it was less than in 2024.
Fewer wildfires: Despite some destructive blazes, the world also saw fewer wildfires during 2025 than 2024, which put less carbon dioxide – a planet-warming greenhouse gas – into the atmosphere.
Despite those points, 2025 still ended up as the third-hottest year in over 175 years of record-keeping and likely one of the warmest in at least several thousand years. It was nearly as warm as 2023, at 2.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.47 Celsius) above the 1850-1900 average, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. It also had the second-highest average land temperature recorded, up 3.6 F (2 C) compared to preindustrial years, with more than 10% of the land experiencing record-high temperatures.
Factors that made 2025 warmer than expected
Several other factors made 2025 warmer than expected, and some are likely to continue to increase in 2026. They include:
Greenhouse gas emissions: The big driver of global warming is excess greenhouse gas emissions, largely from burning fossil fuels, and 2025 had plenty.
Greenhouse gases trap heat near Earth’s surface like a blanket, raising the temperature. They also linger in the atmosphere for years to centuries, meaning gases released today will continue to warm the planet well into the future. The levels of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere all increased in 2025.
Rising energy demand drove an increase in fossil fuel use. About 80% of the increasing electric power demand came from emerging economies, largely for rising air conditioning demands as the world gets hotter. In the U.S., the rapid growth of data centers for AI and cryptocurrency mining helped boost U.S. carbon dioxide emissions by 2.4%.
Earth’s energy imbalance: Other sources can disrupt the natural balance between the amount of sunlight that reaches Earth and the lesser amount radiated back to space. A recent study found that Earth’s energy uptake surged and temperatures rose quickly when a rare three-year La Niña in 2020-2022 shifted to El Niño in 2023-2024.
Declining polar ice, which efficiently reflects sunlight back into space, also affects the energy balance. As sea ice declines, it leaves dark ocean water that absorbs most of the sunlight that reaches it. In a spiraling feedback, warmer water melts sea ice, allowing more sunlight into the ocean, warming it faster; 2025 had the lowest winter peak of Arctic sea ice on record and the third-lowest minimum extent of Antarctic ice.
https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/t0SSd/1
Air pollution: Sulfate aerosol pollution from coal combustion and burning heavy fuel oil in shipping has also been affecting Earth’s energy balance. It has been masking the full effects of human-caused greenhouse gases for years by reflecting sunlight back into space, creating a cooling effect. But sulfate aerosol pollution is also a serious health hazard, blamed for about 8 million human deaths per year from lung diseases.
Recent reductions in sulfate pollution – now 40% less than 20 years ago – have meant about a 0.2 F (0.13 C) increase in global temperatures. Much of the reduction was from China’s efforts to reduce its notoriously bad air pollution in recent years and international shipping rules in effect since 2020 that have reduced sulfur emissions from large ships by 85%.
Taking all factors together, humans are now warming the planet at a faster rate than at any point in human history: at about 0.5 F (0.27 C) per decade. That extra heat can fuel extreme weather, including flash floods, heat waves, extended droughts, wildfires and coastal flooding, affecting human lives and economies.
Predictions for 2026
Most climate models predict 2026 will be about as hot as 2025, depending on whether a Pacific El Niño develops, which forecasters give about a 60% chance of happening. The planet is already starting the year out warm, even if it doesn’t feel like that everywhere. While January was very cold in parts of the U.S., globally, Earth saw its fifth-warmest January on record, and much of the western U.S. saw one of its warmest winters on record.
Solar output will continue to decrease slowly in 2026. However, the International Monetary Fund projects strong global economic growth at about 3.3%, suggesting electricity demand will also continue to grow. The International Energy Agency expects global electricity demand to increase by 3.6% per year through at least 2030.
Even though global renewable energy use is growing quickly, it isn’t growing fast enough to meet rising demand, meaning more fossil fuel use in the coming years. More fossil fuels burned means more emissions and more warming, while the ability of the ocean and land to absorb carbon dioxide continues to decrease. As a result, the atmosphere and oceans heat up, increasing the risks of passing tipping points – glaciers disappear, Atlantic Ocean circulation shuts down, permafrost thaws, coral reefs die.
If greenhouse gas emissions continue at a high rate, humanity may look back at 2025 as one the coolest years globally in the rest of our lives.
Michael Wysession, Professor of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Dive into “The Knowledge,” where curiosity meets clarity. This playlist, in collaboration with STMDailyNews.com, is designed for viewers who value historical accuracy and insightful learning. Our short videos, ranging from 30 seconds to a minute and a half, make complex subjects easy to grasp in no time. Covering everything from historical events to contemporary processes and entertainment, “The Knowledge” bridges the past with the present. In a world where information is abundant yet often misused, our series aims to guide you through the noise, preserving vital knowledge and truths that shape our lives today. Perfect for curious minds eager to discover the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of everything around us. Subscribe and join in as we explore the facts that matter. https://stmdailynews.com/the-knowledge/
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Forgotten Genius Fridays
Forgotten Genius Friday: The Gas Mask and the Man Who Invented It
Garrett Morgan, the inventor behind the modern gas mask and traffic signal, risked his life in 1916 to save workers trapped in a tunnel explosion beneath Cleveland. Though his invention worked and lives were saved, the media largely erased his name because he was Black. This is the story of a hero history tried to forget.
Last Updated on March 27, 2026 by Daily News Staff
🎥 The Knowledge – Episode: Garrett Morgan
“The man who gave us stoplights also saved lives underground.”
Before Garrett Morgan became known for inventing the three-position traffic signal, he was already changing the world—one breath at a time.
In 1912, Morgan designed a safety hood to protect firefighters and miners from the deadly smoke and toxic fumes they faced on the job. This early version of the gas mask featured breathing tubes and a wet sponge to filter air—simple, yet revolutionary.
But the true test came in 1916, when a natural gas explosion rocked a tunnel under Lake Erie in Cleveland. With little hesitation, Morgan donned his invention and entered the chaos. He saved multiple workers trapped beneath the earth—risking his own life to prove his device could do what others hadn’t even imagined.
Despite his heroism, headlines of the day often left out his name. Why? Because Garrett Morgan was Black. His contributions were buried in the shadows of racial prejudice, even as his inventions were saving lives and modernizing cities.
Today, we’re changing that narrative.
Garrett Morgan didn’t just invent the gas mask—he proved it worked. And his legacy deserves to breathe.
🧠 Now you know.
Related Links:
The Forgotten Genius Behind the Gas Mask – YouTube Short
Who Was Garrett Morgan? – Biography
More “Forgotten Genius Friday” Episodes
📢 Watch the full 60-second episode on our YouTube series, “The Knowledge,” and help us give credit where it’s due.
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The Knowledge
Why Phoenix’s Skyline Has Stayed Low — And How It Compares to Los Angeles
Discover why Phoenix’s skyline lacks supertall skyscrapers, from FAA flight path limits near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to how it compares with Los Angeles’s skyline growth.
Last Updated on March 25, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Phoenix is the fifth-largest city in the United States, yet its skyline doesn’t resemble other major metros like Los Angeles, Chicago, or Dallas. Despite rapid population and economic growth, downtown Phoenix has long lacked supertall skyscrapers — and until recently, didn’t even have a building tall enough to qualify as a true “skyscraper” under standard definitions.
The Basics: Phoenix’s Height Reality
The tallest structure in Phoenix for decades has been Chase Tower, rising to about 483 feet. Under the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat definition, a skyscraper reaches at least 492 feet — which means Phoenix has technically lacked one — despite its size and population.
A new project, the Astra Tower, is planned to rise around 540+ feet when it breaks ground, potentially giving Phoenix its first true skyscraper.
Airport Proximity: The FAA’s Height Grid
FAA Obstacle Evaluation & Downtown Limits
Phoenix’s skyline constraints are rooted in aviation safety.
📍 Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport sits just a few miles from downtown.
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates building heights near airports so they don’t obstruct flight paths, require planes to alter approaches, or interfere with climb-out safety.
- In Phoenix, this results in a layered set of height limits that vary by location and elevation above sea level — often measured in feet above mean sea level (MSL) rather than simply building height from ground.
The city’s zoning code divides downtown into multiple contour zones with distinct maximum elevation values (e.g., 1,275 ft, 1,525 ft, 1,700 ft MSL), each tied to how close it sits under airport flight paths.
That means in some blocks you can’t build above a specific elevation even if ground levels are lower — a regulatory “roof” that varies across downtown.
City zoning also explicitly states that no building can exceed the FAA’s airport height limits, even if other bonuses or zoning allowances exist.
Phoenix vs. Los Angeles: A Quick Comparison
Los Angeles: Higher Limits, Different Constraints
Cities like Los Angeles also have nearby airports (e.g., Los Angeles International Airport), but their key business districts aren’t directly under major flight corridors.
LA’s downtown has:
- Taller office and residential towers
- A financial core with dense development
- Fewer FAA-driven overlays because the flight paths stretch past the downtown edge
Los Angeles’s tallest buildings — including Wilshire Grand Center (~1,100 ft) and U.S. Bank Tower (~1,018 ft) — were built where FAA restrictions don’t force low ceilings. FAA evaluations were conducted but didn’t cut as deeply into downtown zoning compared to Phoenix.
Phoenix, by contrast, sits right under approach and departure corridors — leading to consistent FAA involvement in almost every proposed mid- or high-rise downtown.
Economic and Planning Philosophies
Beyond FAA rules:
- Phoenix developed in the automobile era, with vast inexpensive land encouraging horizontal growth.
- Los Angeles grew earlier with heavier investment in centralized neighborhoods and higher density.
- Phoenix’s village plan long encouraged multiple smaller hubs instead of concentrating all growth in one downtown core.
These historical differences mean Phoenix didn’t have the same economic “pressure” to build up — even with zoning that allows significant height if FAA permits are met.
What This Means for Phoenix’s Future
Phoenix still has room to grow vertically — but:
- FAA height contours will remain the ceiling unless flight paths change
- Developers must secure determinations of no hazard from the FAA before going taller
- New projects like Astra show demand for taller buildings is rising
As Phoenix’s urban core densifies and land becomes scarcer, its skyline may yet reach higher — but always within the invisible grid drawn by aviation safety.
Related External Links
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Official Website
- FAA Obstruction Evaluation / Airport Airspace Analysis (OE/AAA)
- City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department
- Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH)
- Los Angeles World Airports (LAX Authority)
- Phoenix Skyscraper Database & Diagrams
- Los Angeles Skyscraper Database & Diagrams
Dive into “The Knowledge,” where curiosity meets clarity. This playlist, in collaboration with STMDailyNews.com, is designed for viewers who value historical accuracy and insightful learning. Our short videos, ranging from 30 seconds to a minute and a half, make complex subjects easy to grasp in no time. Covering everything from historical events to contemporary processes and entertainment, “The Knowledge” bridges the past with the present. In a world where information is abundant yet often misused, our series aims to guide you through the noise, preserving vital knowledge and truths that shape our lives today. Perfect for curious minds eager to discover the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of everything around us. Subscribe and join in as we explore the facts that matter. https://stmdailynews.com/the-knowledge/
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If you live in Arizona, chances are you’ve seen or heard about javelinas roaming neighborhoods, especially at dawn or dusk. But what exactly are these animals—and are they dangerous?
Javelinas, officially known as collared peccaries, are often mistaken for wild pigs. However, they’re actually a completely different species native to the Americas.
@stmblog They look like pigs… but they’re not 🐗❌ Meet Arizona’s javelinas! hhtps://stmdailynews.com #Javelina #ArizonaWildlife #PhoenixAZ #DesertLife #WildlifeFacts #NowYouKnow #STMdailynews #UrbanWildlife #DidYouKnow #NatureExplained ♬ original sound – STMDailyNews
Not a Pig: Meet the Collared Peccary
The collared peccary (Pecari tajacu) is a small, hoofed mammal with a stocky build and coarse, bristly fur. They get their nickname “javelina” from Spanish, meaning “little javelin,” referring to their sharp tusks.
- Length: 3–4 feet
- Weight: 40–60 pounds
- Color: Gray to black with a lighter “collar”
- Distinct trait: Strong musky odor from a scent gland
Where Do Javelinas Live?
Javelinas thrive in desert environments and are commonly found across Arizona, including the Phoenix metro area. As urban development expands, encounters with humans have become more frequent.
Behavior: Why You See Them in Groups
Javelinas are social animals that travel in groups called “squadrons,” typically made up of 6 to 12 individuals. These groups help protect them from predators and navigate their environment.
They are most active during cooler parts of the day—early morning and evening—especially during Arizona’s hot summers.
What Do Javelinas Eat?
Despite their tough appearance, javelinas are herbivores. Their diet mainly includes:
- Prickly pear cactus (a favorite)
- Mesquite beans
- Roots and desert vegetation
Are Javelinas Dangerous?
Javelinas are generally not aggressive toward humans, but they can become defensive if they feel threatened—especially if they are protecting their young or are approached by dogs.
Important safety tips:
- Do not feed javelinas
- Keep pets on a leash
- Secure trash and outdoor food sources
- Give them plenty of space
Why Are They Showing Up in Neighborhoods?
Urban expansion into desert habitats has increased human-wildlife interactions. Easy access to food—like garbage, pet food, and landscaping plants—also attracts javelinas into residential areas.
Final Thoughts
Javelinas are an important part of the desert ecosystem and usually pose little risk when left alone. Understanding their behavior is the key to peacefully coexisting with these unique animals.
Related External Links & Further Reading
- Arizona Game & Fish Department – Living With Javelina
- National Park Service – Javelina (Saguaro National Park)
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum – Javelina Natural History
- Encyclopaedia Britannica – Peccary Overview
- Texas Parks & Wildlife – Collared Peccary
Dive into “The Knowledge,” where curiosity meets clarity. This playlist, in collaboration with STMDailyNews.com, is designed for viewers who value historical accuracy and insightful learning. Our short videos, ranging from 30 seconds to a minute and a half, make complex subjects easy to grasp in no time. Covering everything from historical events to contemporary processes and entertainment, “The Knowledge” bridges the past with the present. In a world where information is abundant yet often misused, our series aims to guide you through the noise, preserving vital knowledge and truths that shape our lives today. Perfect for curious minds eager to discover the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of everything around us. Subscribe and join in as we explore the facts that matter. https://stmdailynews.com/the-knowledge/
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