What are the visible signs of global warming?

This sudden and unprecedented change in climate has already devastated our planet – much of our wildlife faces extinction, sea levels continue to rise, and communities continue to battle through increasingly extreme weather, droughts, and natural disasters.

Extreme Events

The number of record high temperature events in the United States has been increasing, while the number of record low temperature events has been decreasing, since 1950. The U.S. has also witnessed increasing numbers of intense rainfall events.12

The United States has witnessed increasing numbers of intense rainfall events and since 1950, the number of record high temperatures events in the United States has been increasing while the number of record low temperature events have fallen.

Global Temperature Rise

The planet’s average surface temperature has risen about 2.12 degrees Fahrenheit (1.18 degrees Celsius) since the late 19th century, a change driven largely by increased carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere and other human activities. Most of the warming occurred in the past 40 years, with the seven most recent years being the warmest. The years 2016 and 2020 are tied for the warmest year on record.

The increase in carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere and other human activities have led to the planet’s average surface temperature to increase by about 2.12 degrees Fahrenheit (1.18 degrees Celsius) since the late 19th century. Earth’s global warming has occurred in the past 40 years with the years 2016 and 202 tied for the warmest year on record.

Sea Level Rise

Global sea level rose about 8 inches (20 centimeters) in the last century. The rate in the last two decades, however, is nearly double that of the last century and accelerating slightly every year.

In the last century the global sea level has increased by about 8 inches (20 centimeters), the rate of increase in the last two decades has been double than that of the last century and has been accelerating every year.

Ocean Acidification

Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the acidity of surface ocean waters has increased by about 30%. This increase is the result of humans emitting more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and hence more being absorbed into the ocean. The ocean has absorbed between 20% and 30% of total anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions in recent decades (7.2 to 10.8 billion metric tons per year).

The acidity of surface ocean waters has increased by about 30% since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, as a result of humans emitting more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and being absorbed into the ocean. The ocean has absorbed between 20% and 30% of total anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions in recent decades (7.2 to 10.8 billion metric tons per year).