December 25th, 2025 marked the 2nd highest max temperature in the Dallas Forth Worth area, only beaten by Christmas 2021 and tied with Christmas 2016.Temperatures maxed out at 80 F (26.6 C) with minimum temperatures 58 F (14.4 C). Meanwhile, the average temperature for the DFW area is 56 F (13.3 C). This temperature difference is extremely  concerning due to the hot weather in December.  These events are not exclusive to Texas or the United States but are occurring all around the world and the main culprit is human caused climate change.

 As many may know, the more greenhouse gasses we produce the more the average global temperature rises, and gases are trapped in our atmosphere. These gasses are naturally occurring however the amount we produce through burning fossil fuels is massive. It is also worth mentioning that the Earth has natural cooling and heating cycles although it is the rate at which it is warming in our current day that is concerning. Looking back to the start of the industrial revolution, we can see an increase in carbon emissions and the average global temperature. Many efforts have been made since the 90s to combat climate change but rising energy demand and much pushback from climate deniers has unfortunately resulted in 2024 being the first year in crossing the 1.5 C threshold and becoming the hottest year in recorded history, according to NOAA and WMO. This continued into 2025 resulting in the 2nd hottest year on record and many record-breaking temperatures across the world. Focusing back on Texas we can clearly see the effects of climate change with the abnormally hot December and the aforementioned Christmas. Another consequence of the high temperatures is the disruption of the polar vortex, resulting in devastating cold fronts being sent from the Arctic, such as the one that sent half the United States into below freezing temperatures for a weekend. With such a large-scale issue, it’s very easy to feel powerless with no idea on how to make things better, however small things can have big impacts. The late Jane Goodall said “You have the power to make a difference. Don’t give up. There is a future for you. Do your Best while you’re still on this beautiful Planet Earth that I look down upon from where I am now.”. We only have one home, let’s take care of it.