Climate Q&A

Observations of sunspots and other indicators of solar activity indicate no changes that could have caused global warming over the past half century. 

Human-caused climate change is not the sole cause of any single extreme event. However, changes in the intensity or frequency of extremes may be influenced by human-caused climate change.

Yes, human activities exert a cooling influence on Earth in several ways. Overall, this cooling influence is smaller than the warming influence of the heat-trapping gases humans put into the air.

Our global historical temperature records undergo rigorous quality control and independent peer review. Plus, the proof Earth is warming is practically everywhere you look. 

From larger, more intense wildfires to more frequent flash floods, global warming has added to the rising cost of natural hazards. Current spending on infrastructure isn't enough to cover repairs and upgrades. 

Potential effects of global warming include sea level rise, more frequent and more extreme heat waves, intensification of wet and dry regional climate patterns.

Global warming and related climate change are negatively impacting species and habitats across the country, including many that are economically and culturally important to Americans.  

Weather and climate occur on different scales of time and space, and depend on different aspects of Earth's environment. Weather describes atmospheric conditions at a particular time and place. Climate is the overall statistical characteristics of weather and environmental conditions, such as long-term averages and ranges of variability, for a given place and season.

Earth has warmed in the past due to changes in the Sun, volcanic eruptions, and naturally occurring increases in greenhouse gases. Our ability to understand and explain past changes is one reason we are confident that recent changes are due to humans. 

From heat-related illness, to the spread of pests and pathogens into new areas, to the accumulation of toxins in seafood, global warming is likely to have serious impacts on public health.