It’s January, the month usually known for being the coldest of the year. But this time, something feels off. The temperatures are rising, and we’re not feeling the usual chill. Instead of bundling up in warm clothes, many parts of India are experiencing unseasonably warm weather, with temperatures reaching above 26 degrees Celsius. This shift is not just a random fluctuation in weather; it is a sign of a much larger and worrying problem: climate change.
This January feels more like April, and this isn’t the first time we’ve seen such strange weather. Last year, 2024, was the hottest year ever recorded, and it seems like 2025 is following the same pattern. In Northwest and Central India, temperatures are rising, and instead of the usual cold, we are getting warm, dry winds and bright sunshine—just like summer. The winter chill is missing, and experts are calling this change the “disappearing spring,” which means that seasons are no longer behaving as they should. This is a warning that our climate is changing fast.
Winter is changing in India. Earlier, people used to enjoy cold weather for a longer time, wearing sweaters and feeling the fresh, cool air. But now, winters are getting shorter. Instead of slowly moving into spring, it feels like the weather jumps straight from winter to summer. December and January, which were always winter months, do not feel as chilly anymore. Spring, the season between winter and summer, is almost disappearing.
January is warmer than usual in many parts of India. In some places, the temperature is 5°C higher than normal. Areas like East Madhya Pradesh, East Rajasthan, Assam, Delhi, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu are feeling the heat. This is not just happening once—it is part of a bigger change caused by global climate change.
Earlier, the weather used to slowly shift from winter to spring. But now, it feels like winter is ending too quickly, and summer is arriving suddenly. The pleasant spring season is almost disappearing. This is not just happening in India but in many parts of the world. However, in India, these sudden temperature increases are becoming more common.
The human impact: Are we contributing to the problem?
The idea to write about this came to me while travelling in the metro. I saw a woman sitting on the floor, frustrated and murmuring, “Rich people want both—cars and metro. There’s no peace anywhere, neither on roads nor in the metro.”
I felt she had a point but couldn’t connect it to anything at that moment. I offered her my seat, but she ignored me and kept ranting. After some time, I gently asked, “What’s wrong?”
She looked at me, surprised, and said, “In winter, we have no homes to stay warm. In summer, the rich turn on their ACs and coolers, making the outside even hotter for us. Where should we go? Inside, there’s AC 24/7; outside, there are AC cars. And if someone doesn’t have a car, they’ll suffer in the metro. But in the end, it’s us—the poor—who have to bear it all.”
Her words stayed with me. While we discuss climate change, it’s the poor who truly suffer—whether it’s extreme cold or unbearable heat. For them, there is no escape.
We are not helpless in this situation. In fact, we are the ones causing much of the climate change we’re seeing. Human activity, particularly the use of fossil fuels and overconsumption, has greatly increased global warming. One of the biggest contributors to this is our constant use of air conditioners. While ACs make life more comfortable for us, they release harmful gases into the atmosphere that trap heat and warm the planet further.
Every time we leave an air conditioner on for hours, we are unknowingly adding to the very problem that is making our winters shorter and our summers unbearable. Our choices are directly affecting the environment, and unless we take action, we will continue to see this rapid change in seasons. The truth is that climate change is here, and it’s largely due to our lifestyle choices. We have failed to protect our planet, and the consequences are becoming clearer each day.
The impact on the future
What does all of this mean for the future? If we continue on this path of environmental destruction, we may soon find that winter months like December and January no longer exist in the way we know them. The warmth we’re feeling today may only get worse in the coming years. Summers could become unbearable, and the months that used to provide relief from the heat will disappear entirely.
We are not just damaging the environment for ourselves; we are hurting future generations. If we do not take steps to address climate change now, we are leaving behind a world that is less liveable, with fewer resources and less clean air. Instead of waiting for governments or organisations to act, we need to take responsibility as individuals.
What can we do to stop this?
The situation is serious, but we can still do something about it. Each of us can help by making small changes. One simple step is to use less electricity. For example, we should turn off air conditioners when not needed and use energy-saving cooling systems. This will help reduce harmful gases that cause climate change.
Another important action is planting more trees. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and help keep the environment balanced. We can also support laws and programs that promote clean energy, protect forests, and encourage people to live in a more eco-friendly way. Even small actions in our daily lives can make a big difference. If we all take responsibility, we can slow down climate change and make the world better for future generations.
Time to act now
Climate change is already changing our seasons, and if we don’t act fast, it will get even worse. Winter and spring are disappearing, and if we don’t change our habits, extreme summers will become normal. If we do nothing, future generations will suffer even more. But there is still time to make a difference. Even small changes in our daily lives can help protect our planet and create a better future. We must take action now.