We’ve all seen what global warming has done to the planet, people, animals, and their homes. Sadly, global warming statistics show an even more dire state of things.
If we don’t do something right now, things will go from bad to worse. And we have some severe stats to prove it!
What are the Top 10 Crucial Global Warming Statistics to Be Aware Of
- 60% of Americans view global warming as a significant threat.
- There is a 99.9999% chance humans are responsible for global warming.
- It would take $140 billion a year to adapt to climate change.
- CO2 in the atmosphere hasn’t been this high in 3 million years.
- During the Covid-19 pandemic, CO2 emissions dropped by 7%.
- The planet’s surface temperature has increased by around 1.62°F.
- Humans influenced 68% of all extreme weather conditions in the last 20 years.
- Heatwaves are 30 times more likely to occur as a result of climate change.
- Sea levels are rising three millimeters a year, the fastest rate in 3,000 years.
- People have cleared 30% of all forest cover on the planet.
Hopefully, these stats will shock you into action. We all need to do our part to help save our planet from total destruction.
General Stats and Facts About Climate Change and Global Warming
“Global warming” refers to the temperature rise all around the world. But what is global warming caused by? What is the effect of global warming, and what people think about these changes?
1. Global warming fact or fiction statistics reveal that about 60% of Americans view global warming as a significant threat.
(Pew Research Center, CNN)
What is global warming? It’s the gradual heating of Earth’s surface and oceans. The emission of harmful gases and pollutants in the atmosphere are the leading causes.
Many have disputed global warming. However, recent concerns have been rising over its effects and what is causing global warming.
2. Man-made global warming facts sadly show that there’s a 99.9999% chance humans are responsible for global warming.
(USA TODAY, NASA)
What causes climate change? These changes mostly happen because of slight variations in the Earth’s orbit that modify how much solar energy it receives.
The current warming trend has started in the mid-20th century. It’s proceeding at a rate that hasn’t been recorded for millennia.
This is especially important as it suggests that human activity is the leading cause of global warming.
3. Anti-global warming facts and proponents claim the Sun causes global warming.
(The Conversation)
Storms on the Sun’s surface, or sunspots, have the power to affect Earth’s climate.
However, scientists have been monitoring solar energy hitting the Earth since 1978 and have not yet observed an upward trend.
This proves that the Sun’s heat can’t cause global warming. Or, to be more precise, it’s not the sole cause of it.
4. Arctic global warming facts reveal it is more affected by global warming and climate change than any other place in the world.
(Green Peace, WWF Arctic)
Global warming impacts all of us. However, global warming statistics from 2020 show that the Arctic is warming almost twice that of the worldwide average.
5. It would take $140 billion a year to adapt to climate change as per crazy global warming facts.
(Conservation International)
Even though it sounds like a considerable sum of money, this is actually less than 0.2% of the global GDP. But the best and most effective way to combat climate change would be to preserve nature, as climate change facts show.
Data shows that building a sea wall in the Maldives to protect the coast costs around $2.2 billion. This is four times more expensive than protecting the natural reef. The natural way is always more cost-effective.
Greenhouse Gases: Facts and Stats
Carbon dioxide (CO2) makes up most of the greenhouse gasses that affect climate change.
The primary causes of these emissions are human actions. Burning coal, gas, oil, fossil fuel consumption, and deforestation releases toxic gasses into the atmosphere.
6. Facts on global warming show that the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has not been this high in 3 million years.
(Conservation International, USA TODAY)
CO2 levels in the atmosphere are alarmingly high and don’t stop rising. It measured 411.97 parts per million in March 2019 and 416 parts per million in May 2020.
Even more upsetting is the fact that they still continue to rise. Scientists estimate that we need to cut down to about 350 parts per million for our planet to be livable.
Can we do it, though?
7. One of the most interesting facts about global warming is that human activities release 37 billion MT of CO2 every year.
(Just Facts, OSS Foundation)
This equals approximately 5% of all-natural carbon dioxide emissions. Natural processes absorb natural CO2 emissions and 57% of human-made emissions.
Still, this leaves around 16 billion MT of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, as the facts on climate change reveal.
One of the more widespread myths about global warming is that volcanoes emit more CO2 than human activity.
However, the numbers show that volcanoes put out about 0.2 GT of CO2. Whereas human activity (since 2010) accounts for a whopping 27 GT of carbon dioxide released annually, as studies on global warming facts and myths.
8. China accounts for the largest share of CO2 emissions, according to climate change figures.
(UCSUSA)
With carbon dioxide emissions of 10.06GT, China takes first place.
[visualizer id=”5787″]The US follows suit with 5.41GT, whereas India is ranked third with 2.65GT.
When it comes to carbon dioxide per capita emissions, Saudi Arabia is first (18.48T).
[visualizer id=”5789″]Kazakhstan is second (17.60T), Australia comes third with 16.92T. While the US comes forth with 16.56T of CO2 emissions per capita, as global warming statistics show.
9. Climate change statistics and facts reveal that the energy sector makes up two-thirds of all carbon emissions.
(Wired)
Carbon emissions from energy use increased by 2% in 2016. It was the fastest growth recorded in the last eight years. This leaves us with few facts that disprove global warming.
Or look at it this way: energy production emits as much carbon as cars if the number of passenger vehicles tripled across the globe.
Changing temperatures increase the use of heating and cooling systems. This, in turn, requires more energy provided by coal or natural gas.
10. Climate change statistics for 2021 estimated that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the global CO2 emissions were reduced by 7%.
(ICOS)
Data shows that the most considerable reduction occurred in April, at 17%. Some countries even decreased their emission by a staggering 26%.
Based on the data, the overall CO2 emissions decreased by an average of 7%.
It did teach us how to help stop global warming, but not commuting to work, staying home, and decreasing traveling frequency was hard.
What Are the Major Types of Physical Evidence for Climate Change?
Even though many don’t believe climate change is real, the evidence shows the contrary.
Physical evidence of global warming is all around us. It’s hard to imagine why do people deny climate change still.
Unfortunately, the effects of climate change are long-lasting.
11. The planet’s surface temperature has increased by around 1.62°F, according to global warming facts.
(NASA)
Since the turn of the 19th century, CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gas emissions have caused the Earth’s temperature to rise.
Climate change science facts show that it’s currently up by 1.9°F since 1880.
12. 2016 and 2020 tie for the warmest year record.
(NASA, Copernicus)
The global average temperature has risen by 2.05°F since the late 19th century. 2016 and 2020 share the record for the warmest year so far. That should be enough to set apart the climate change facts and myths.
The average temperature in 2016 was 1.78°F warmer than the average temperature for the mid-20th century.
Also, climate change statistics from 2020 revealed that from January–September (excluding June), 2016 had the hottest temperatures ever recorded for those months.
2020 is on par with the 2016 record, with 1.25°C (34.25°F) warmer than the average 1850–1900 temperatures. However, Europe had the warmest summer ever in 2020, with a 0.4°C (32.72°F) increase compared to 2019.
13. Scary facts about climate change reveal that humans influenced 68% of all extreme weather conditions in the last 20 years.
(Wired)
Heatwaves account for 43% of all extreme weather events. Droughts make up 17%, and rainfall and floods yet another 16%.
The number of floods and heavy rain has quadrupled since 1980. While climate change statistics show that heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires have doubled in the last 40 years.
Recent wildfire statistics reveal these events can’t be attributed to a single cause. Still, studies show humans caused or worsened two-thirds of extreme weather occurrences.
14. Heatwaves are 30 times more likely to occur due to climate change, affecting the average global temperature.
(Wired)
San Francisco, British Columbia, and Delhi reported record-breaking high temperatures in June 2019.
Furthermore, the UK witnessed its hottest winter days to date. In fact, temperatures recorded in some parts of the UK were higher than those in Malibu and Barcelona.
Climate change facts tell us that milder winters harm the living world, such as hibernating animals, plants, and migratory birds.
15. Shocking facts about global warming show that sea levels are rising three millimeters a year. It’s the fastest rate recorded in 3,000 years.
(Wired)
When it comes to the rising sea level, facts reveal two leading causes: the increasing thermal expansion and glaciers’ melting.
The first means that the oceans are getting warmer, thus expanding warm water into the atmosphere. Furthermore, the latter increases the flow of water.
16. One of many scary facts about climate change is that the Earth’s glaciers are losing 390 billion tons of ice and snow a year.
(USA TODAY)
Because of global warming, over 3 trillion tons of ice have melted from Antarctica in the past 25 years. It has also resulted in three times more ice loss in the past ten years.
17. Many climate change articles show that acidity levels in Earth’s oceans have increased by 30% since the Industrial Revolution.
(NASA, Smithsonian Ocean)
The oceans absorb at least a quarter of all CO2 released into the atmosphere because of coal, oil, and gas burning (all human activities).
Climate change facts and statistics show that the amount of CO2 absorbed by the upper layer of the world’s oceans grows by around 2 billion tons a year!
18. One of the used global warming myth facts is that the impact of climate change will continue for centuries, even if emissions are stopped.
(UN)
Considering the current concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and their continued emission, it is highly likely that global mean temperatures will continue to rise.
According to predictions, the average sea level will reach 24–30 cm by 2065. This is one of the used facts that global warming is not real by those that don’t believe we are responsible.
Facts About Climate Change and Deforestation
What’s the relationship between deforestation and climate change?
It’s simple. As trees grow, they purify the atmosphere from CO2 and store it in their trunks and soil. In turn, they release oxygen.
Burning and cutting down trees for grazing, agriculture, and plantations releases the gas into the atmosphere, causing climate change.
19. One of the scary facts on climate change reveals that people have cleared 30% of all forest cover on the planet.
(Business Insider, Live Science)
Forests cover over 30% of the Earth’s surface and make up about 80% of its terrestrial biodiversity. They are also a source of food and livelihood for people and animals alike.
But most importantly, facts of global warming show that forests help mitigate the effects of climate change and global warming.
20. Around 3.9 million square miles of forest have been lost since the beginning of the 20th-century, facts of global warming reveal.
(Live Science, National Geographic)
According to facts about global warming and deforestation, 46% of trees have been felled.
Also, about 17% of the Amazon rainforest has been destroyed in the last fifty years. Whereas 14,800 square miles of forests, roughly the size of Switzerland, are destroyed every year.
21. Deforestation accounts for 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions, as revealed by greenhouse effect facts.
(CarbonFootprint, Conservation International)
Out of all the greenhouse gas emissions that humans are responsible for, deforestation takes the number one spot.
Shocking facts about global warming reveal this is almost the same as emissions from all cars and trucks. It accounts for 11% of all global GHG emissions made by humans.
22. The loss of tropical forests contributes to 4.8 billion tons of CO2 a year.
(Climate Council, Science Daily)
How to stop global warming? Give life back to the tropical forests. Or at least give our planet a chance to recuperate itself.
The burning of forests and the cutting down of trees causes stored carbon to be released into the atmosphere. The loss of tropical forests between 2015 and 2017 equals around 10% of annual human CO2 emissions.
Sadly, the deforestation rates have since increased and surpassed 10,000km2 (3,861 mile2). Predictions are it’ll continue growing.
23. An interesting fact about global warming: coastal mangroves store up to 10 times more CO2 per hectare than tropical forests.
(Conservation International)
Tropical forests help store carbon. Still, coastal mangroves can store up to 10 times more per hectare than tropical forests. This makes it even more important to preserve these coastal ecosystems.
24. Forests also filter water and regulate the global water cycle.
(Business Insider)
Climate models show that deforestation in Central Africa could cause a 15% drop in rainfall in the Midwest.
A sad yet interesting fact about climate change also reveals that deforestation in the Amazon could lead to a decline in rainfall in Texas by a staggering 25%.
What is the Effect of Global Warming on Animals
Sadly, people are notorious for animal abuse, and the ultimate form of it is by far climate change.
Human-caused climate changes are destroying animal species. The changes impact animals’ habitats and put many species on the verge of extinction.
25. The average population size of vertebrates declined by 60% between 1970 and 2014.
(Wired)
The population of mammals, fish, reptiles, and birds has significantly decreased. This results from changes in land and sea use, overexploitation of natural resources, and climate change.
And predictions are even grimmer. Even if the worst-case scenarios don’t come true, global warming facts show that 5% of animals and plants on the planet are still in danger of extinction.
26. Climate change hoax facts say animals can adapt to climate change.
(WWF)
Well, this is true. Animals adapt, but not all. Some animal and plant species won’t survive this rate of climate change on the planet.
Combined with the destruction of wildlife’s natural habitat, this causes further difficulties for animals and plants’ survival.
27. Over 27% of all species on the planet are in danger of extinction, as scary facts about global warming show.
(Business Insider)
According to the IUCN’s Red List, 40% of all amphibians, 14% of birds, 33% of coral reefs, 40% of insect species, and a quarter of all mammals are at risk of extinction because of deforestation and climate change.
28. Global warming is a direct threat to coral reefs.
(DoSomething)
Climate change causes warmer ocean waters, overfishing, and ocean acidity. These are just some things that affect the coral’s ability to adapt to the ocean’s changing conditions, resulting in the death of coral reefs worldwide.
29. According to the Great Barrier Reef climate change facts, baby coral has declined by 89% because of coral bleaching in 2016 and 2017.
(CBS, Queensland)
Increasingly warm ocean temperatures have caused enormous damage to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. So much so that scientists fear it may never recover.
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef and home to over 1,500 species of fish, over 200 types of birds, and extensive marine life.
30. Contradicting polar bears and global warming facts show the polar bear population is actually increasing.
(State of the Polar Bear Report 2019, FEE)
Despite predictions that two-thirds of polar bears will disappear in the years to come, the latest research reveals a twist in the predicted climate change statistics for 2019.
The number of polar bears is about 39,000 (with a relatively wide margin of error), according to polar bears vs. global warming facts.
The number of polar bears has not been this high since they became protected under an international treaty in 1973.
31. The Ringed seal population in the Arctic could decline from 50 to 99% by 2100.
(Forbes, National Marine Life Center)
Because of a decrease in snowfall and sea ice loss, 75% of harp seal pups in the Arctic don’t survive.
Scary global warming facts also show that many ringed seal pups don’t reach their teenage years, causing a significant population size decline.
32. Climate change also affects sea turtles.
(Sea Turtle Conservancy)
One of the top 10 facts about global warming reveals that increased sea temperatures affect sea turtles as well. But higher sand temperatures have a more damaging effect.
The heat of the sand where they lay their eggs partly determines the sex of sea turtles. Hotter weather leads to a higher percentage of female turtles. This decreases the reproductive output and population.
In fact, on the Pacific coast, some nests are 70–90% female, as shocking facts about climate change reveal.
33. Sad and scary climate change facts reveal that koalas could become extinct by 2050.
(Reuters)
They’re threatened by both the CO2 levels in their food and extreme weather, such as drought and heatwaves.
The latest bushfire season has destroyed up to 81% of koalas’ habitats in some parts of Australia’s New South Wales.
34. The recent bushfires in Australia killed almost a third of koalas in New South Wales.
(CNN)
Experts attribute these bushfires to climate change. The facts are that, besides koalas, half a billion animals across New South Wales have been affected by the fires.
35. Adélie penguin colonies may decline by 30% by 2060.
(NASA)
More disturbingly, 60% of the entire population of Adélie penguins could decline by 2099. Climate change affects these penguins.
But one of the most interesting facts about climate change reveals they seem to thrive in certain parts of the Antarctic.
In contrast, in some Antarctic peninsula areas, the population has already declined by a shocking 80%.
36. A study shows shocking facts about climate change and how it could wipe out the entire frog population in 50 years.
(BBC)
A new virus spreading throughout the UK caused by warmer temperatures threatens amphibians.
The study also shows that 4 out of 10 species of amphibians are on the verge of extinction because of disease, climate change, and habitat loss.
Talk about scary climate change facts!
37. The IUCN says that 24% of bumblebees in Europe are threatened with extinction due to habitat fragmentation and climate change.
(WWF)
Estimates show that this devastating effect on the bumblebee population will cost the UK about $902 million (roughly £690 million) a year.
On top of that, a staggering 140 bee species have already gone extinct across the UK. In comparison, over 1,000 British species of bees are in danger of extinction.
Climate Change Facts and Statistics and Their Affect on People
Climate change statistics reveal that these dangerous changes affect people, too. We need to wake up and take the necessary action to slow down and reverse these changes before it’s too late!
38. Contrary to climate change hoax facts, 11% of the people in the world are vulnerable to climate change.
(Conservation International)
Call climate change fact or fiction, but scientific data shows that 800 million people worldwide are at risk of droughts, floods, extreme weather, and other consequences of climate change.
39. Climate change affects allergies, too.
(CNN)
The number of people affected by allergies is skyrocketing. One in ten Americans suffered from allergic reactions, such as hay fever, in 1970. Today, that number jumped to three in ten (since 2000).
On top of that, global warming statistics for 2021 revealed that the pollen season in the US is 11 to 27 days longer now than it used to be due to climate change.
40. 318 people died in 2019 due to extreme weather conditions.
(Injury Facts)
Wildfires, storms, hurricanes, floods, and other extreme weather conditions kill hundreds of people and cause thousands of injuries each year.
In 2019 alone, 144 people died due to winter weather, 91 died in floods, and 83 died from the heat, totaling 318 deaths.
FAQ
41. What is the #1 cause of climate change?
The causes of climate change list is long, but there’s no doubt about the leading cause. What causes global warming primarily is the burning of fossil fuels — oil, coal, and gas. These fuels release CO2 into the air causing the planet to warm up.
42. How bad is climate change now?
The effects of global warming can be seen globally, and the situation is pretty bad. A catastrophe is unfolding, although not lightning-quick. The Arctic is melting, sea levels are rising, and the overall situation is grave.
43. How many people are affected by climate change?
It’s estimated 150,000 die every year because of extreme weather conditions. Temperature changes enhance disease transmission and affect food production patterns, which in turn, cause malnutrition.
44. How many degrees has the Earth warmed in 100 years?
The Earth has warmed by 1.8℉ since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, which occurred around 1750.
45. Is climate change a global emergency?
Yes, climate change is a global emergency. Its effects can be felt globally. It affects the planet, lives, homes, and animals.
The Bottom Line
Global warming has been called many things. From a hoax and alarmist assertions to a national emergency and one of the most serious issues the world faces today.
However you see it, global warming statistics show that it has caused irreparable damage to the planet. Sadly, it’ll continue to affect the climate, animals, and people for years and decades to come.
Sources
- BBC
- Business Insider
- CarbonFootprint
- CBS
- Climate Council
- CNN
- CNN
- CNN
- Conservation International
- Copernicus
- DoSomething
- FEE
- Forbes
- Forbes
- Green Peace
- ICOS
- Injury Facts
- Just Facts
- Live Science
- Met Office
- NASA
- NASA
- NASA
- National Geographic
- National Marine Life Center
- OSS Foundation
- Pew Research Center
- Queensland
- Reuters
- Science Daily
- Sea Turtle Conservancy
- Smithsonian Ocean
- State of the Polar Bear Report 2019
- The Conversation
- The New York Times
- UCSUSA
- UN
- UN
- USA TODAY
- WHO
- Wired
- WWF
- WWF
- WWF Arctic
1 comment
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