2018 was the fourth hottest year on record. Earth has been warming up for decades. The last five years are the hottest five years on record and the last four were all more than 1 degree Celsius, warmer than the 19th Century average.
A warmer climate contributes to melting polar ice and mountain glaciers, rising sea levels, more severe droughts, longer fire seasons.
NASA and NOAA work together to study the temperature from weather stations, ships and buoys in the ocean, and Antarctic research stations.
Credits: Kathryn Mersmann (USRA): Lead Producer Ellen T. Gray (ADNET Systems Inc.): Lead Writer Patrick Lynch (NASA/GSFC): Lead Public Affairs Officer Gavin A. Schmidt (NASA/GSFC GISS): Lead Scientist
This UN Environment implemented project is aimed to build climate resilience in the Comoros Islands by rehabilitating watersheds and forests and diversifying adaptive livelihoods. GEF Project ID 5694 Photo credit: Hannah McNeish / UN Environment
