This is the average surface temperature of the whole Earth over a full year. It is based on measurements taken by thousands of weather stations on land and sea.
The Yearly Average Temperature is a crucial metric because the change in the Earth’s average temperature causes major transformations to our planet. It puts the existence of many species – including humans – at risk.
What is the Yearly Average Observed Temperature Anomaly?
It is the difference between the average yearly global surface temperature and its pre-industrial baseline. The pre-industrial baseline is calculated as the average temperature from 1850 to 1900. It is also referred to as the observed warming, and is based on most recent data including natural fluctuations.
The average temperature anomaly is a crucial metric because the change in the Earth’s average temperature is causing major transformations to our planet. It puts the existence of many species – including humans – at risk. Efforts to adapt to the impacts of global warming should consider the impacts with respect to this observed warming.
What is the Rate of Temperature Change?
It is the 30-year moving regression of Earth’s temperature increase or decrease per year. It indicates the speed at which the Earth is warming up (red line) or cooling down (blue line), whereby positive higher values indicate faster warming and negative lower values indicate faster cooling. We use a 30-year moving regression because climate is about long-term weather patterns, typically averaged over 30 years.
The Rate of Temperature Change is a critical metric because it shows how fast global warming is happening.
Indicators of Global Climate Change for Policy Makers
Annually updated, IPCC AR6 consistent indicators of human-induced global warming, greenhouse gas emissions, and the remaining global carbon budget. By IGCC initiative.