Give Now

Climate Central

Researching and reporting the
science and impacts of climate change

× +

Who We Are

An independent organization of leading scientists and journalists researching and reporting the facts about our changing climate and its impact on the public.

What We Do

Climate Central surveys and conducts scientific research on climate change and informs the public of key findings. Our scientists publish and our journalists report on climate science, energy, sea level rise. Read More

About Our Expertise

Members of the Climate Central staff and board are among the most respected leaders in climate science. Staff members are authorities in communicating climate and weather links, sea level rise, climate. Read More

Climate Central
  • Home
  • Research
    • Publications
  • Partnerships Journalism
  • Gallery
    • Interactives
    • Graphics
    • Maps
    • Collections
  • Videos
    • Extreme Weather
    • States of Change
    • On the Media
    • Climate in Context
    • News and Reports
  • Media Library
  • News Archive
  • What We Do
    • Mission Statement
    • What We Do
    • Board
    • Staff
    • Our Programs
      • Climate Science
      • Climate Matters
      • Sea Level Rise
    • History
    • Support Us
      • Your Support Matters
      • Why Climate Central
      • Ways to Give
      • Learn More
    • Financials
    • For the Media
    • Legal
    • Jobs
    • Climate Services
    • Press Releases
    • Editorial Independence Policy
  • Support Our Work
Rise in Global Temps Since 1880
Download high resolution versions

Rise in Global Temps Since 1880

  • Published: April 21st, 2015

By Climate Central

Since the advent of modern recordkeeping in 1880, the global average temperature has risen 1.6°F. The trend is one of the hallmarks of global warming and tightly tied with the rise in human CO2 emissions.

Warming has accelerated since the first Earth Day in 1970. The global average temperature has risen by about 0.3°F per decade since then. In comparison, the rise up until that point was about 0.1°F per decade. The speed up in warming since 1970 has been tied to a number of factors, particularly a reduction in human aerosol emissions throughout the 1970s, which cool the planet.

Scientists have warned that warming should be limited to 3.6°F above pre-industrial levels — more commonly represented by its even Celsius counterpart of 2°C — to avoid severe consequences of climate change.

Featured Research

Seniors at Risk: Heat and Climate Change

Seniors at Risk: Heat and Climate Change

Could Kennedy Space Center launch pads be at risk as climate changes? Experts say yes

Could Kennedy Space Center launch pads be at risk as climate changes? Experts say yes

Report: Flooded Future: Global vulnerability to sea level rise worse than previously understood

Report: Flooded Future: Global vulnerability to sea level rise worse than previously understood

Extreme Heat: When Outdoor Sports Become Risky

Extreme Heat: When Outdoor Sports Become Risky

Climate Change is Threatening Air Quality across the Country

Climate Change is Threatening Air Quality across the Country

Ocean at the Door: New Homes and the Rising Sea

Ocean at the Door: New Homes and the Rising Sea

Climate Central

  • Copyright © 2021 Climate Central.
  • Contact
  • Terms
  • Content Licensing
  • Privacy
  • Site Map