Climate Facts
115 facts across 10 topics
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The Basics of Climate Change
Understanding the fundamental concepts of global warming and climate science
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in global temperatures and weather patterns, primarily caused by human activities since the 1800s.
The greenhouse effect is a natural process where gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat, keeping our planet warm enough to sustain life.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the primary greenhouse gas emitted through human activities, accounting for about 76% of global emissions.
Methane is 80 times more potent than CO2 at trapping heat over a 20-year period, though it stays in the atmosphere for less time.
The Industrial Revolution, beginning around 1760, marked the start of significant human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.
Pre-industrial CO2 levels were around 280 ppm. Today, they exceed 420 ppm - a 50% increase!
The last time CO2 levels were this high was over 3 million years ago, during the Pliocene epoch.
Climate and weather are different: weather is short-term atmospheric conditions, while climate is the average weather over 30+ years.
97% of climate scientists agree that human activities are causing global warming.
The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels to prevent the worst climate impacts.
Global Temperature Changes
How our planet is warming and what the data shows
Earth's average temperature has risen by approximately 1.1°C (2°F) since the pre-industrial era.
The 10 warmest years on record have all occurred since 2010, with 2023 being the hottest year ever recorded.
July 2023 was the hottest month in recorded human history, with global temperatures 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
The Arctic is warming nearly 4 times faster than the global average - a phenomenon known as Arctic amplification.
Nighttime temperatures are rising faster than daytime temperatures, affecting how ecosystems and humans recover from heat.
Land surfaces are warming faster than oceans, with some regions experiencing warming of 2-3°C above pre-industrial levels.
Each decade since 1980 has been warmer than the previous one, continuing an unbroken warming trend.
Without action, global temperatures could rise by 2.5-4.5°C by 2100, with catastrophic consequences.
A 2°C rise would expose 420 million more people to extreme heatwaves compared to a 1.5°C rise.
The temperature difference between now and the last ice age is only about 4-7°C, showing how sensitive Earth's climate is.
Ice Sheets & Oceans
The dramatic changes happening to our frozen and liquid water systems
Arctic sea ice has declined by about 13% per decade since 1979.
The Greenland ice sheet is losing approximately 270 billion tons of ice per year.
Antarctica is losing ice 6 times faster today than in the 1990s.
Global sea levels have risen about 21-24 cm (8-9 inches) since 1880.
Sea levels are rising at about 3.7 mm per year, up from 1.4 mm per year in earlier decades.
If all of Greenland's ice melted, sea levels would rise by 7.4 meters (24 feet)!
If Antarctic ice melted completely, sea levels would rise by 58 meters (190 feet).
Ocean temperatures have increased by about 0.88°C since 1900.
The ocean absorbs about 90% of the excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases.
Glaciers have lost more than 30% of their mass since 1980.
The ocean has become 30% more acidic since the Industrial Revolution.
Arctic permafrost contains twice as much carbon as the atmosphere.
Thawing permafrost releases methane and CO2, creating a dangerous feedback loop.
By 2100, sea levels could rise between 0.3 to 1.1 meters depending on emissions.
About 680 million people live in coastal zones threatened by sea level rise.
Extreme Weather Events
How climate change is intensifying storms, floods, and droughts
Hurricane intensity has increased by 8% since 1980, with more Category 4 and 5 storms.
Heatwaves are now 5 times more likely than they were before climate change.
Heavy precipitation events have increased by 30% in many regions since 1950.
Wildfires now burn twice the area they did 40 years ago in the western US.
Droughts are becoming 29% longer on average due to climate change.
Flood frequency has increased by 50% in many river basins worldwide.
Heat records are now broken twice as often as cold records in the US.
Weather disasters caused $313 billion in damages globally in 2022 alone.
The number of billion-dollar weather disasters has increased 5-fold since the 1980s.
Atmospheric rivers now carry 25% more moisture than before industrial times.
Ecosystems & Biodiversity
The impact on wildlife, plants, and natural habitats
1 million species are at risk of extinction due to climate change and habitat loss.
50% of coral reefs have died in the last 30 years due to warming and acidification.
Bird migration is happening 2-3 days earlier per decade as temperatures rise.
Forests are shifting poleward at a rate of 17 km per decade.
Ocean dead zones have quadrupled since 1950 due to warming and pollution.
40% of insect species are declining, threatening food production and ecosystems.
Fish populations are moving towards the poles at 70 km per decade.
Alpine species are moving uphill at 11 meters per decade, running out of habitat.
The Amazon rainforest has lost an area the size of Spain since 1970.
Spring is arriving 2.8 days earlier per decade, disrupting plant-animal relationships.
Causes of Climate Change
The human activities driving global warming
Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) accounts for approximately 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90% of all carbon dioxide emissions.
Deforestation contributes about 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The world loses approximately 10 million hectares of forest annually - an area roughly the size of Iceland.
Agriculture, forestry, and land use contribute approximately 24% of global emissions, making it the second-largest source after energy production.
Livestock farming produces 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with cattle being the largest contributor due to methane from digestion and manure.
Transportation accounts for about 16% of global emissions, with road vehicles responsible for roughly three-quarters of transport emissions.
The energy sector (electricity and heat production) is responsible for approximately 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions, the single largest contributing sector.
Industrial processes and manufacturing contribute about 21% of global emissions, including emissions from cement, steel, and chemical production.
Coal-fired power plants are the single largest source of CO2 emissions globally, producing over 15 billion tons of CO2 annually - about 40% of all energy-related emissions.
Buildings (residential and commercial) account for approximately 6% of global emissions directly, but when including electricity use, this rises to about 17% of total emissions.
Just 100 companies have been responsible for 71% of global greenhouse gas emissions since 1988, with most being fossil fuel producers.
Human Health & Society
How climate change affects people around the world
Climate change could displace 1.2 billion people by 2050 due to climate disasters, creating the largest refugee crisis in human history.
Climate change causes approximately 250,000 additional deaths annually through malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress, according to WHO.
Extreme heat currently affects over 1.6 billion people annually, with this number projected to reach 4.8 billion by 2050 without climate action.
Climate change could push an additional 132 million people into extreme poverty by 2030, primarily through impacts on agriculture and food security.
Water scarcity affected 3.6 billion people at least one month per year in 2018, and this number is projected to exceed 5 billion by 2050.
Climate-related disasters have caused economic losses averaging $200 billion annually over the past decade, with costs rising exponentially.
Air pollution from fossil fuel combustion causes about 8.7 million deaths per year globally, with climate change exacerbating air quality issues.
Crop yields for major staples like wheat, rice, and maize could decline by 10-25% by 2050 in tropical regions, threatening food security for billions.
The range of disease-carrying mosquitoes is expanding, putting an additional 1 billion people at risk of dengue fever, malaria, and Zika virus by 2080.
Mental health impacts of climate disasters are significant: studies show 25-50% increases in anxiety, depression, and PTSD in affected communities.
Solutions & Progress
The technologies and policies fighting climate change
Renewable energy capacity has grown by over 260 gigawatts annually in recent years, with solar and wind now cheaper than fossil fuels in most markets.
Electric vehicle sales reached 14 million units in 2023, up from just 120,000 in 2012, representing 18% of global car sales.
The cost of solar energy has dropped by 90% since 2010, making it the cheapest source of electricity in history for many regions.
Reforestation and forest restoration could remove 10 billion tons of CO2 annually by 2050 if scaled globally - about 25% of current emissions.
Over 140 countries have committed to net-zero emissions targets, covering approximately 90% of global GDP and 90% of global emissions.
Battery storage costs have fallen by 87% since 2013, enabling renewable energy to provide reliable power even when the sun isn't shining or wind isn't blowing.
Carbon capture and storage technology can potentially remove 95% of CO2 emissions from industrial facilities, though it currently accounts for less than 0.1% of emissions reductions.
Energy efficiency improvements could reduce global energy demand by 40% by 2040 while maintaining economic growth, according to the IEA.
Plant-based and lab-grown meat alternatives could reduce agriculture emissions by 50-90% while using 75% less land and water.
Green hydrogen, produced using renewable energy, could replace fossil fuels in heavy industry and aviation, potentially eliminating 6 billion tons of CO2 annually by 2050.
Future Projections
What happens if we act - or don't
Scientists have identified 9 major climate tipping points that could trigger irreversible changes, including Amazon rainforest collapse and Arctic sea ice loss.
To limit warming to 1.5°C, global emissions must fall by 45% by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050, according to the IPCC.
If current trends continue, global temperatures could rise by 2.7°C by 2100, causing catastrophic and irreversible damage to ecosystems and human societies.
The transition to clean energy could create 65 million new jobs globally by 2030, while eliminating only 6 million jobs in fossil fuels.
By 2050, renewable energy could provide 86% of global power demand if current investment trends continue, making fossil fuels largely obsolete.
Without action, climate change could cost the global economy $23 trillion annually by 2050, equivalent to 10% of global GDP.
Climate technology investment reached $1.1 trillion in 2023, showing that the market is rapidly shifting toward sustainable solutions.
AI and machine learning could help reduce global emissions by 5-10% by 2030 through optimized energy use, transportation, and agriculture.
If we limit warming to 1.5°C, we could prevent 420 million people from being exposed to extreme heat and save millions of lives from climate-related deaths.
The next 10 years are critical: actions taken this decade will determine whether we avoid catastrophic climate change or face irreversible consequences.
What You Can Do
Individual actions that make a real difference
The average American's carbon footprint is 16 tons of CO2 per year, but with conscious choices, this can be reduced by 50% or more.
Adopting a plant-based diet can reduce your personal food-related emissions by up to 73%, saving approximately 1 ton of CO2 annually.
Reducing beef consumption by just 50% and replacing it with chicken, pork, or plant-based alternatives can cut your diet's carbon footprint by 35%.
Switching to an electric vehicle can save 4-5 tons of CO2 per year compared to a gas-powered car, even accounting for electricity generation.
One transatlantic flight generates approximately 1.6 tons of CO2 per passenger. Reducing air travel or choosing direct flights can significantly lower your footprint.
Using public transportation instead of driving alone can reduce your commute emissions by 45%, while biking or walking eliminates them entirely.
Switching to renewable energy for your home can reduce your carbon footprint by 2-3 tons of CO2 annually, one of the highest-impact individual actions.
Installing a programmable thermostat and adjusting temperatures by just 2°F can reduce heating and cooling emissions by 2,000 pounds of CO2 per year.
LED light bulbs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 25 times longer, reducing both emissions and costs over their lifetime.
Improving home insulation can reduce heating and cooling energy use by 15-50%, saving money while cutting emissions significantly.
Reducing food waste by half can save 300 kg of CO2 per person annually. Plan meals, store food properly, and compost scraps to minimize waste.
Buying locally produced food reduces transportation emissions, with local produce generating 5-17 times less CO2 than imported alternatives.
Voting for climate-conscious candidates and policies is one of the most impactful actions, potentially influencing emissions thousands of times larger than individual lifestyle changes.
Contacting elected officials about climate issues increases the likelihood of climate action by 3-5 times, especially when done consistently by multiple constituents.
Divesting from fossil fuels and investing in sustainable funds can redirect trillions of dollars toward clean energy and away from polluting industries.
Supporting climate-focused organizations through donations or volunteering amplifies your impact, as these groups influence policy affecting millions of people.
Talking about climate change with friends and family is crucial: 66% of Americans rarely or never discuss it, despite 72% caring about the issue.
Organizing or joining community climate actions like tree planting, cleanups, or advocacy groups creates multiplier effects that extend far beyond individual impact.
Supporting businesses with strong environmental practices through conscious purchasing decisions sends market signals that can shift entire industries toward sustainability.
Educating yourself and staying informed about climate science and solutions empowers you to make better decisions and effectively advocate for change in your community and beyond.
Knowledge is Power!
Now that you know the facts, it's time to take action. Every choice matters, and together we can create a sustainable future.