Study reveals that Colombia experienced 88 days of extreme heat, 81 of which were due to climate change: the speed of global warming is accelerating.

Global warming is progressing at a faster pace than expected, according to a study published by Nature Reviews Earth & Environment .

While in previous decades global temperature increased at a rate of 0.18°C per decade, between 2013 and 2022 this rate rose to 0.25°C per decade , even when discounting natural phenomena such as El Niño.

The year 2024 was officially the warmest on record, and the ten warmest years on record have all occurred in the last decade.

This acceleration of climate change is due to multiple factors, such as increased greenhouse gas emissions from the burning of fossil fuels, rising ocean temperatures, and the reduction of polluting aerosols that previously reflected part of solar radiation.

Although Colombia is not among the main emitters of greenhouse gases, its geographic location and socioeconomic conditions make it highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

A joint report by Climate Central, the International Red Cross, and World Weather Attribution found that between May 2024 and May 2025, the country experienced 88 days of extreme heat, 81 of which were directly attributable to human-induced climate change.

The World Health Organization has warned that global warming has direct and indirect consequences for people's health, including respiratory and cardiovascular problems, heat-related illnesses, water and food shortages, and a possible increase in social conflicts.

In the first half of 2025, Colombia has experienced phenomena such as droughts, forest fires, floods, and landslides, linked to climate change and the anomalous rise in global temperatures.

Camilo Prieto Valderrama, professor and climate change expert at the Universidad Javeriana, stated that “ anthropogenic global warming is a reality.”

He also stated that "the consequences are not only environmental, but also economic, social, and health-related. Decarbonizing the global economy is a matter of survival."

Colombia has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030. However, this goal requires more ambitious policies, sustained investments, and a strong and consistent political will to address the environmental crisis.

The accelerated pace of global warming is already being felt throughout the country. Extreme weather events are affecting vulnerable communities and essential ecosystems.

Faced with this situation, experts and international organizations agree on the urgent need to adopt mitigation and adaptation measures that effectively respond to the magnitude of the challenge.

*This content was rewritten with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on information from Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, Climate Central, the International Red Cross, World Weather Attribution, and the WHO, and reviewed by the journalist and an editor.