Scientists at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research report that global warming appears to have accelerated since around 2015. Their analysis suggests the recent rise in temperature is not just a result of short-term climate swings, but part of a stronger underlying warming trend.
To examine that signal, the researchers adjusted the data to remove the effects of El Niño, volcanic eruptions and changes in solar activity. After filtering out those natural influences, they found the planet has warmed at about 0.35 degrees Celsius per decade over the past ten years.
According to the summary of the study, that pace is higher than the warming rate seen over a longer earlier period. The finding points to a notable shift in how quickly average global temperatures are increasing, rather than a temporary spike caused by natural variability alone.
The result adds to concern that the climate system may be moving into a faster phase of warming. While year-to-year temperatures can still jump around, the study suggests the broader trend since the mid-2010s has become steeper and more persistent.
