Recent Warming Exceeds Temperatures of the Last Several Hundred Years

Since the 1900s global average temperature and atmospheric CO₂ concentration have increased dramatically, particularly compared to their levels in the 900 preceeding years.

The rapid rise in both surface temperature and CO₂ is one of the indications that humans are responsible for some of this unusual warmth.

This graph is based on data from tree rings, coral and ice cores, and historical records. It represents only the Northern Hemisphere.

Other surface temperature data sets differ somewhat from those shown here, but in all of them the modern temperatures are generally greater than during the past several hundred years.

Climate Change During the Past 100 Years [ next ]