MANILA (AP) — Many of Earth’s “vital signs” — key indicators of the planet’s health — are deteriorating at record rates, according to the 2025 State of the Climate report released by an international coalition of scientists led by Oregon State University.

The report warns that humanity is “hurtling toward climate chaos,” citing global data from the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and urging governments to adopt “high-impact” strategies to curb emissions and ecological decline.

Of the 34 planetary vital signs tracked, 22 have reached record highs. “Many of these indicate either unsustainable pressures on the environment and climate or the potential for more frequent and intense climate-related disasters,” said Christopher Wolf, an Oregon State University researcher and lead author of the study.

The report found that fossil fuel consumption hit an all-time high last year, intensifying planetary warming. “We are particularly troubled by Greenland and Antarctic ice loss, global wildfire extent, and ocean heat content all reaching record levels,” Wolf said. “Unfortunately, a lot of what we see reflects Earth’s climate continuing to shift in a very dangerous direction.”

Scientists said 2024 was the hottest year ever recorded — and possibly the hottest in at least 125,000 years — raising fears that the planet is approaching irreversible tipping points.

“If emissions and temperatures do not fall soon, processes such as ice sheet loss and forest dieback could become self-sustaining feedback loops,” Wolf warned.

“Even worse, new evidence suggests the rate of warming may itself be increasing due to changes in cloud behavior and reductions in human-caused aerosol pollution that previously masked warming.”

The report highlighted extreme events that underscored the climate crisis, including massive wildfires across Canada and the tropics, deadly flooding in Texas, and record coral bleaching.

“In the U.S., we’re already seeing how climate change affects health — from deadly heat waves to wildfire smoke that worsens asthma,” Wolf said. “Protecting the planet’s health is really about keeping our communities safe and livable.”

The scientists called for transformative change at every level of governance, including overhauling production systems, reducing overconsumption, and adopting post-growth economic models that emphasize social equity and respect for planetary boundaries.

“Key options to mitigate climate change include a rapid transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy, protecting and restoring forests and other ecosystems, and reforming the global food system to reduce waste and encourage more plant-based diets,” Wolf said.

The report concludes that the climate crisis is not only an environmental emergency but also a public health threat. “Human health and wellbeing depend on a stable climate,” Wolf said. “Mitigation strategies such as adopting healthier, plant-rich diets can both improve health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

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