The year 2025 was confirmed as the hottest year in recorded human history, extending a streak that now encompasses nine of the ten hottest years on record. Yet 2026 has also brought extraordinary news on the energy transition front: renewables have surpassed coal in U.S. electricity generation for two full years running.
What the Latest Science Shows
The IPCC’s most recent assessment confirms that global temperatures have already risen approximately 1.3°C above the pre-industrial baseline. For Americans, this means more frequent and intense heat waves, increasingly powerful Atlantic hurricanes, accelerating sea level rise affecting coastal cities, and worsening wildfire seasons in the West.
The Progress That's Rarely Reported
- U.S. carbon emissions have fallen 18% since 2005, despite population and economic growth
- Electric vehicle sales hit 22% of all new car sales in Q1 2026 — up from 8% in 2022
- Battery storage costs have fallen 85% in a decade, enabling reliable renewable grids
- Over 400 U.S. cities have adopted 100% clean electricity commitments
- Heat pump adoption has tripled since 2022
“The energy transition is happening faster than the models predicted — but climate change is also moving faster than the models predicted. Both things are true simultaneously.” — Climate scientist
What Individuals Can Actually Do
Research consistently shows that the highest-impact individual actions are: switching to an electric vehicle, installing a heat pump for home heating and cooling, reducing air travel, and shifting toward a plant-forward diet. Political engagement on climate issues has, according to research, the highest per-person impact of all.
What to Watch in the Second Half of 2026
- The UN Climate Conference (COP31) in Brazil — expected major commitments on deforestation
- Federal clean energy tax credit updates as Congress debates extension
- First major commercial offshore wind farms coming online off the U.S. East Coast
- New EPA methane regulations taking effect for oil and gas industry