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:
Average yearly increase in global temperatures per decade since 1880:
Earth’s 5 warmest years on record have been the last 5 years (as of 2024).
- 2024
- 2023
- 2022
- 2021
- 2020
Average yearly increase in global temperature since 1970:
Hottest month ever recorded on Earth:
Warmest year on record in the US:
Average temperature in the US in 2016:
2024 is on track to be the warmest year recorded in the United States.
Average temperature in the US in 2024:
55.5°F (13.1°C)
Number of additional deaths per year that climate change is expected to cause between 2030 and 2050:
250,000 additional deaths annually (2015)
Reduction in Greenland’s volume of ice annually:
375 cubic KM/year (2014)
Reduction in Arctic sea ice per decade:
Reduction in Antarctica’s ice mass annually:
134 billion metric tons (2016)
Annual rise in sea level since 1993:
Estimated amount of ice that thaws out and pours into the sea every year:
Estimated amount of time it would take for all of the Earth’s ice to melt:
Amount that sea levels are projected to rise by the end of this century:
Amount the sea levels would rise if all of the Earth’s ice melted:
Percentage of all global disasters that are caused by weather:
Number of weather-related deaths from 1995-2015:
600,000 deaths (30,000 per year)
Percentage of Americans that are somewhat or very worried about global warming:
Number of countries that ratified the Paris climate agreement:
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 (2016)
EU target for reducing greenhouse emissions:
40% below 1990 levels by 2030 (2016)
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:
Percentage of American Meteorological Society (AMS) Members that believe climate change is caused by natural events:
Percentage of American Meteorological Society (AMS) Members that believe climate change can be averted:
Projected number of homes in the US that may be underwater by 2100:
US metro region projected to be hardest hit by rising seas:
US state projected to be hardest hit by rising seas:
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:
Carbon dioxide levels in the air are at their highest in 650,000 years. (2019)
The Earth has seen 400 consecutive hotter-than-average months. (2018)
Amount of snow and ice the Earth reportedly loses annually:
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. (2018)
Amount of water ice loss in Greenland has contributed to the global sea level since 1972:
The concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is higher than at any point in the past 800,000 years. (2019)
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) (2019)
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)