Mexico Warming 60% Faster Than Global Average: Study

Mexico City, Mexico — Mexico is heating up at a rate of 3.2 degrees Celsius per century, surpassing the global average of 2 degrees, according to a study by researchers at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). The findings raise concerns about an accelerated warming trend, with temperatures in the country already exceeding critical thresholds outlined in the Paris Agreement.

Unprecedented Temperature Rise Over 18 Months

Francisco Estrada Porrúa, head of UNAM’s Climate Change Research Program (PINCC), revealed that the planet has experienced 18 consecutive months of temperatures exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels—a benchmark the Paris Agreement aimed to avoid.

“We expected temperatures to cool after the El Niño and La Niño phenomena passed, but that did not happen,” Estrada stated. “This suggests either an acceleration of global warming or an underestimation of the climate’s sensitivity to greenhouse gases.”

Mexico’s average temperature has risen by 1.8°C in the past year and a half, outpacing the global increase. The Yucatán Peninsula—including Quintana Roo, Yucatán, and Campeche—has recorded temperatures above 40°C in 2025, with forecasts predicting highs of 45°C during the first heatwave of the year, which began on May 13.

Implications for Climate Policy

The study underscores the urgency of reevaluating climate mitigation strategies, as current projections may underestimate the speed of temperature rise. Estrada warned that Mexico could reach the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C threshold within five years—far sooner than previously anticipated.

Key Findings:

• Global Trend: Earth’s temperature has consistently exceeded 1.5°C for 18 months.
• Mexico’s Rate: Warming at 3.2°C per century, 60% faster than the global average.
• Regional Impact: Yucatán Peninsula faces extreme heat, with temperatures nearing 45°C.

The research highlights the need for immediate action to address what scientists fear may be an irreversible acceleration of climate change.