Global Warming / Climate Change Facts and Statistics for 2024
Last Updated on: January 8th, 2024
Here are a few of the most interesting Global Warming / Climate Change facts and statistics I was able to dig up in my internet travels. As always, be sure to check back in the future as I will be updating this post as new and updated stats become available.
Photo by DonkeyHotey 
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, with far-reaching and potentially catastrophic consequences for the planet and all its inhabitants. From rising temperatures and sea levels to more frequent and severe weather events, the impacts of climate change are already being felt around the globe.
In this post, we will take a look at some of the more interesting climate change data. Whether you’re a climate change skeptic or a concerned citizen, this article will provide you with a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of this complex and urgent issue. So, let’s dive in and explore the world of climate change.
Climate Change Statistics
Increase in global temperature since 1880:
Last updated 4/1/19
Average yearly increase in global temperatures per decade since 1880:
Last updated 2019
Earth’s 5 warmest years on record have been the last 5 years.
- 2016
- 2015
- 2017
- 2018
- 2014
Last updated 2019
9 of the 10 warmest years on Earth have occurred since 2005.
(1998 is the only one in the top 10 from the 20th century)
Last updated 2019
Average yearly increase in global temperature since 1970:
Last updated 1/21/16
Hottest month ever recorded on Earth:
Last updated 9/12/16
Warmest year on record in the US:
Last updated 2019
Average temperature in the US in 2016:
2015 was the second warmest year in the US on record.
Last updated 2019
Average temperature in the US in 2015:
Number of additional deaths per year that climate change is expected to cause between 2030 and 2050:
250,000 additional deaths annually
Last updated September 2015
Reduction in Greenland’s volume of ice annually:
Last updated 9/1/14
Reduction in Arctic sea ice per decade:
Last updated 4/1/19
Reduction in Antarctica’s ice mass annually:
Last updated 1/21/16
Annual rise in sea level since 1993:
Last updated 1/21/16
Estimated amount of ice that thaws out and pours into the sea every year:
Last updated 5/12/16
Estimated amount of time it would take for all of the Earth’s ice to melt:
Last updated 5/12/16
Amount that sea levels are projected to rise by the end of this century:
Last updated 4/5/19
Amount the sea levels would rise if all of the Earth’s ice melted:
Percentage of all global disasters that are caused by weather:
Last updated 5/12/16
Number of weather-related deaths from 1995-2015:
600,000 deaths (30,000 per year)
Last updated 5/12/16
Percentage of Americans that are somewhat or very worried about global warming:
Last updated 8/24/16
Number of countries that ratified the Paris climate agreement:
Last updated 11/3/16
Goal of Paris Climate Agreement:
not allow earth to warm over 2 degrees Celsius/3.6 degrees Fahrenheit
US target for reducing greenhouse emissions:
26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025
Last updated 11/3/16
EU target for reducing greenhouse emissions:
Last updated 11/3/16
In 2018, the global ocean surface temperature averaged 1.19°F (0.66°C) above the 20th century average.
It is predicted that for every 1 degree Celsius increase in temperature, the equivalent of 190 million blue whales in carbon dioxide is released from the soil.
It is predicted that in order to avoid a 2 degree Celsius increase in temperature, greenhouse gas emissions will have to be cut by approx 10 billion tons per year by 2030.
Percentage of American Meteorological Society (AMS) Members that believe climate change is happening:
Last updated 3/24/16
Percentage of American Meteorological Society (AMS) Members that believe climate change is caused by natural events:
Last updated 3/24/16
Percentage of American Meteorological Society (AMS) Members that believe climate change can be averted:
Last updated 3/24/16
Projected number of homes in the US that may be underwater by 2100:
Last updated 10/18/17
US metro region projected to be hardest hit by rising seas:
Last updated 10/18/17
US state projected to be hardest hit by rising seas:
Last updated 10/18/17
Increase in global temperature from 2014-2015:
The US saw 14 billion dollar weather related disasters in 2018 totaling close to $100 billion in damages.
Current carbon dioxide level in the air:
Last updated 4/1/19
Carbon dioxide levels in the air are at their highest in 650,000 years.
The Earth has seen 400 consecutive hotter-than-average months.
Last updated 5/18/18
Amount of snow and ice the Earth reportedly loses annually:
Last updated 4/9/19
Since 1961, the Earth has lost 10.6 trillion tons of snow and ice, which is enough to cover the US in 4 feet of water.
Last updated 4/9/18
Amount of water ice loss in Greenland has contributed to the global sea level since 1972:
Last updated 4/22/19
The concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is higher than at any point in the past 800,000 years.
Last updated 5/13/19
Estimated cost of new seawalls for the lower 48 United States to combat sea level rise:
$400 billion ($76 billion for Florida alone)
Amount of new seawalls that may be required to be built by 2040 to protect coastal communities in the lower 48 United States:
Average number of days per year that the US Southeast sees flooding from unusually high tides:
5 days per year (record high and 190% increase from 2000)
Last updated 7/10/19
On July 4, 2019, Anchorage, Alaska reached 90 degrees for the first time ever. This was 5 degrees higher than their previous high of 85 degrees (June 14, 1969).
June 2019 was the hottest June in recorded history.
Carbon Dioxide level in 2020:
413.2 parts per million (highest level in 3-5 million years)
Please note that some of these numbers are easier to find than others. Most of these fun facts come from internet reports and may not be official tallies. No information contained on DMR should be relied upon to make investment decisions. Basically, this is the best I can find and I don’t guarantee anything to be 100%.
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