Earth Is Experiencing Its Most Severe Energy Imbalance!
Reprinted from People's Daily, March 24, 2026
March 23 marked World Meteorological Day. On that day, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released its *State of the Global Climate 2025* report, which highlighted that the degree of Earth's energy imbalance has reached its highest level since observational records began in 1960.
For the first time, the annual *State of the Global Climate* report has listed Earth's energy balance status as a key climate indicator. Earth's energy balance measures the rate at which energy enters and exits the Earth system. Under conditions of climate stability, the energy received annually from solar radiation is roughly equal to the energy radiating back out from Earth; however, continuously rising concentrations of greenhouse gases have disrupted this equilibrium.
Since observational records began in 1960, Earth's energy imbalance has steadily intensified—a trend that has accelerated further, particularly over the last 20 years. In 2025, the magnitude of this energy imbalance reached an all-time high.
The report notes that of the excess energy retained by Earth, only 1% is stored within the atmosphere, resulting in atmospheric warming. Approximately 5% of this excess energy is stored within continental landmasses. More than 91% of the excess heat is stored within the oceans.
In 2025, ocean heat content reached a record high, with the rate of ocean warming more than doubling compared to the period between 1960 and 2005. Over the past two decades, the oceans have absorbed an amount of energy each year roughly equivalent to 18 times humanity's annual energy consumption. This rise in ocean temperatures has triggered a series of negative consequences and chain reactions affecting marine ecosystems, global weather systems, and other critical areas.
Another 3% of the excess energy contributes to the warming and melting of glaciers; both the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets have experienced significant mass loss.
Diagram Illustrating Earth's Energy Balance and Imbalance (Image Source: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)
The report concludes that greenhouse gas emissions are driving the continuous warming of the atmosphere and oceans, as well as the melting of ice sheets; consequently, Earth's climate is currently in its most severely imbalanced state since observational records began. These rapid and massive changes have unfolded over the span of just a few decades, yet their detrimental impacts are projected to persist for centuries—or even millennia.
The Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization stated that scientific advancements have deepened our understanding of Earth's energy imbalance and the stark realities currently confronting our planet and climate system. Nowadays, the weather is becoming increasingly extreme. Human activities are increasingly disrupting the natural balance, and humanity will bear the consequences for centuries—or even millennia—to come.
The ocean absorbs 91% of excess heat — a fact that demands greater durability and long-term reliability from marine equipment. At SMEOCEAN, we are committed to delivering solutions built for a changing ocean.
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