As 2025 dawns, the climate crisis has reached an inflection point. With disasters growing in frequency and severity—from catastrophic floods to unprecedented wildfires—the world is confronting a stark reality: adaptation is no longer optional, it’s essential.
A new report from changeNOW, Earth Action 2025, calls for a reset in how we tackle climate challenges. Described as a “strategic compass,” the report outlines five critical priorities that experts say must shape the global response: adaptation, energy transition, social equity, education and awareness, and biodiversity protection.
Together, these five themes accounted for 75% of expert responses in the study. But the report doesn’t just highlight what must be done—it reveals how far we still have to go. While ambition is high, implementation continues to lag. The gap between what’s promised and what’s delivered is widening, threatening to derail efforts to meet the Paris Agreement’s goals, even as the world marks its 10th anniversary this year.
Bridging the Global Divide
For the Global South in particular, the path to a just transition remains uneven. Issues of climate justice, funding equity, and inclusion are still marginalized in many policy arenas. Meanwhile, public engagement continues to grow—but has yet to translate into systemic change.
“Policymakers must realize their decisions shape the future—not just the present,” the report warns. “Long-term thinking and cross-cutting strategies are no longer optional—they’re urgent.”
This urgency is echoed in global public sentiment. A landmark survey, featured in Nature Climate Change and spanning 130,000 people across 125 countries, found that 89% of respondents believe their governments should be doing more to fight climate change. Remarkably, over two-thirds said they would personally contribute 1% of their income to address the crisis.
“This is the foundation of a movement,” says Yale University’s Professor Anthony Leiserowitz. “People want action. They want to be part of something. But the potential remains largely untapped.”
From Latent Movement to Global Mobilization
One obstacle stands above the rest: political will. Without it, the ideas, solutions, and willingness to act risk remaining stuck in neutral. But the momentum is building. Interest in how AI intersects with climate solutions is rising, and education campaigns are starting to shift public understanding of risk and resilience.
The Earth Action 2025 report offers more than analysis—it provides a roadmap. It urges world leaders, businesses, and civil society to stop delaying, start collaborating, and prioritize the transformations that can no longer wait.
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