Decadal Trend of Global Temperatures (image)

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center

Caption

While average global temperature will still fluctuate from year to year, scientists focus on the decadal trend. Nine of the 10 warmest years since 1880 have occurred since the year 2000, as the Earth has experienced sustained higher temperatures than in any decade during the 20th century. As greenhouse gas emissions and atmospheric carbon dioxide levels continue to rise, scientists expect the long-term temperature increase to continue as well.

Credit

Data source: NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies. Image credit: NASA Earth Observatory, Robert Simmon

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