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Earth’s average surface air temperature has increased by about 1.5°C since the Industrial Revolution, with warming continuing despite short-term natural variability.
Since the Industrial Revolution, Earth’s average surface air temperature has risen by about 1.5°C (2.7°F). Multiple global datasets show a consistent warming trend at roughly 0.2°C per decade, with new high-temperature records increasingly outpacing low-temperature records. Although natural climate variability can temporarily slow or accelerate year-to-year changes, the overall long-term increase remains persistent and indicates a progressive human influence. Human-driven greenhouse gas emissions—especially from burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), along with deforestation and some agricultural and industrial practices—are the main drivers of the observed warming. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the lower atmosphere by absorbing heat that Earth radiates after sunlight warms the surface. Atmospheric carbon dioxide has increased to levels not seen for millions of years, and the oceans have absorbed over 90% of the excess heat, contributing to rising ocean heat content. Observed impacts of this warming include more frequent and intense heat waves and wildfires, Arctic amplification (with Arctic temperatures rising several times faster than the global average), glacier retreat and sea-ice decline, and changes that increase the intensity of storms and droughts. Even if future warming is limited, some effects—such as ocean heating, ocean acidification, and sea level rise—will continue for centuries.
Earth’s average surface air temperature has increased by about 1.5°C since the Industrial Revolution, with warming continuing despite short-term natural variability.
The primary cause of recent warming is human activity, especially fossil fuel burning, which increases greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere.
The oceans have absorbed most of the added heat, and warming is amplified in the Arctic, driving permafrost thaw and ice loss.
Observed climate impacts include more extreme heat, wildfires, and shifts in precipitation and storm intensity, with long-lasting effects like sea level rise and ocean acidification.
The period beginning in the late 18th century when large-scale industrial activity started, marking the start of major human-driven greenhouse gas increases.
The ongoing increase in Earth’s global average temperature, driven primarily by human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.
Gases such as carbon dioxide and methane that absorb heat radiated by Earth and slow heat loss to space, warming the lower atmosphere.
The phenomenon where the Arctic warms much faster than the rest of the world, accelerating ice and permafrost loss.
A measure of how much heat the oceans store; it has increased substantially because the oceans absorb most of the excess heat from global warming.
A period from roughly 1998 to 2013 when warming temporarily slowed due to natural climate variability, even though the long-term trend continued.
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