Trends in temperature readings from around the world show that global warming

is taking place.

Every one of the past 40 years has been warmer than the 20th century average.
2016 was the hottest year on record. The 12 warmest years on record have all
occurred since 1998.

Over the past 130 years, the global average temperature has increased 1.5 degrees
Fahrenheit, with more than half of that increase occurring over only the past 35
years. The pattern is unmistakable: Every one of the past 40 years has been
warmer than the 20th century average. 2016 was the hottest year on record. The 12
warmest years on record have all occurred since 1998.

Learn more:
The Planet's Temperature Is Rising

Carbon dioxide levels are increasing in the

atmosphere
Photo: Nicholas A. Tonelli/Flickr

Detailed measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels have been

taken continuously for more than 50 years. The data show that CO2 levels have
steadily increased every year. Today they are 25 percent higher than in 1957.

What's more, scientists have detailed records of past CO2 levels from ice core
studies, which show that CO2 levels are higher today than at any point since our
distant ancestors began migrating out of Africa 800,000 years ago.

Increased CO2 is the primary driver of global warming

CO2 absorbs heat reflected from the Earths surface heat that would otherwise
pass freely into space. The CO2 then releases that heat, warming the Earths
atmosphere.

As CO2 levels increase, the pace of warming accelerates. Satellite measurements

confirm that less heat is escaping the atmosphere today than 40 years ago. Though
 other heat-trapping gases also play a role, CO2 is the primary contributor to global
warming.

The climate has changed many times in the geologic past due to natural causes
including volcanic activity, changes in the suns intensity, fluctuations in Earth's
orbit, and other factors but none of these can account for the current rise in
global temperatures.

Learn more:
The Causes of Global Warming: A Global Warming FAQ
Global Warming Human Fingerprints
Air Pollution, Aerosols, and Global Warming
Ozone Hole & Global Warming
Sun's Effect on Climate
Does Snow and Cold Weather Disprove Climate Change?

We are responsible for the increase in CO2

Photo: alohaspirit/iStock

Scientists can conclusively identify that human activity is responsible for the
observed increase in CO2. How? The carbon dioxide emitted by burning coal,
natural gas, and oil has a unique chemical fingerprint" and the additional
CO2 in the atmosphere bears that signature.

Learn more:
How Do We Know that Humans Are the Major Cause of Global Warming?
Carbon Dioxide and Other Heat-Trapping Gases FAQ
Largest Producers of Industrial Carbon Emissions
Each Country's Share of CO2 Emissions

An overwhelming majority of scientists agree

Scientific societies and scientists have released numerous statements and studies
showing the overwhelming consensus that global warming is happening and that
human activity is the primary cause.

Learn more:
 Scientists Agree Human-caused Climate Change is Real (The Equation)

The consequences of rising temperatures

Global warming has serious implications for our health, environment, and
economy. Dangerous heat waves are increasing in severity and frequency. Sea
level rise is accelerating. Extreme storms are on the rise in some areas. More
severe droughts are occurring in others. Collectively, these effects pose a threat to
the entire planet including you, your community, and your family.

Learn more:
Global Warming Impacts
 The National Climate Assessment

Image: Greg Shirah

Produced on a regular basis by the U.S. Global Change Research Program,

the National Climate Assessment provides a comprehensive assessment of the
current understanding of climate change science, including an overview of likely
impacts in the United States on a region-by-region basis.

The IPCC
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was established in 1988
by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment
Programme. Through the IPCC, climate experts from around the world synthesize
the most recent climate science findings every five to seven years and present their
report to the worlds political leaders. The IPCC's Fourth Assessment was released
in 2007. The most recent Fifth Assessment was released as a series of working
group reports beginning in fall 2013.
 Understanding climate science

Scientists use certain terms to describe how well something is known, which can
lead to confusion about important scientific findings on global warming. Knowing
this terminology is key to understanding what is known about climate change.

Learn more:
Certainty vs. Uncertainty: Understanding Scientific Terms About Climate Change
 Climate scientists in action

Discover how the work of 15 climate scientists is helping to educate the public
about the overwhelming scientific evidence for human-caused global warming.