The year 2025 marked a critical juncture for global climate policy, with the United States withdrawing from key international climate treaties while experiencing some of the costliest weather disasters on record.
Record Climate Damages
According to Climate Central data reported by [Earth.org], 2025 was the third-highest year for billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in the United States. The country experienced 23 such disasters, causing an estimated 276 fatalities and $115 billion in damage. This continues a troubling trend of escalating climate-related costs.
The financial toll extends beyond immediate damages. New research indicates that wind-related hurricane losses for homeowners in the southeastern United States could be nearly 76 percent higher by 2060 [ScienceDaily]. Meanwhile, millions living in Australian cities' outskirts face Los Angeles-style wildfire risks, according to recent warnings [Earth.org].
US Withdrawal from Climate Cooperation
The Trump administration's decision to withdraw the United States from 66 international organizations, including pivotal climate treaties, has drawn criticism from UN climate officials. According to [Earth.org], the UN Climate Chief warned that the US exit from international climate treaties will leave the country "less secure and less prosperous."
This withdrawal removes the United States from global climate negotiations at a time when international cooperation is deemed essential. [NBC News] reported that the exit leaves the US "without a voice in negotiations" on critical climate issues.
Global Emissions Gap Widens
The UN Environment Programme's Emissions Gap Report 2025 delivered stark warnings about the current trajectory of global climate action [UN.org]. The report shows that new climate pledges under the Paris Agreement have only slightly lowered projected global temperature rise to 2.3-2.5°C if national climate plans are fully implemented, and 2.8°C under current policies.
Most critically, the report states that nations must cut annual emissions by 55 percent by 2035 to limit global warming to below 1.5°C by 2100. The report warns that temporary breaches of 1.5°C are now more likely and must be limited through faster and bigger greenhouse gas emissions cuts.
Environmental Policy Challenges
Domestic environmental policy faced significant setbacks in 2025. The Environmental Protection Agency proposed eliminating greenhouse gas reporting requirements [Environmental Law & Policy Center], while the Trump administration announced plans to drill oil off California and Florida, drawing strong opposition from state officials [NBC News].
Meanwhile, research highlighted the interconnected nature of environmental challenges. A study on wetlands showed how methane emissions from warming wetlands could create "a vicious cycle" that exacerbates climate change [ScienceDaily]. Other research revealed that 95% of beers tested in the US contained toxic "forever chemicals" known as PFAS [ScienceDaily].
Looking Forward
Despite policy setbacks, scientific research continued to advance understanding of climate impacts and solutions. Studies showed that Southeast Asia could prevent up to 36,000 ozone-related early deaths annually by 2050 with stricter air pollution controls [ScienceDaily], while new global models demonstrated pathways to bring environmental pressures back to 2015 levels by 2050.
The contrast between accelerating climate impacts and policy delays underscores the growing urgency for coordinated global action, even as international cooperation faces unprecedented challenges.