Reconstructed data on Global Average Surface Temeperatures shows that up until 1985, changes in global surface temperature stayed below 0.5ºC.
Observed data since 1850 shows a steep increase - a warming of global surface temperatures that is unprecedented in more than 2000 years.
Zooming in, we can see that, today, we are facing record high global surface temperatures.
In their Climate Change 2021 report, the IPCC presents scenarios that model the global temperatures from now until 2100. Each of these scenarios is called a Shared Socioeconomic Path (SSP) and they depend on different factors such as population size and CO2 emissions.
This first path relies on zero emissions by 2050. But, even after cutting emissions, the planet would still see a temperature increase of around 1.8ºC in the coming decades.
Another, more pessimistic, path predicts that temperatures could increase by an average of 3.6ºC by the end of the century.
But, what's the difference between a rise in 1.5ºC and 2.0ºC?
The affects of a 1.5ºC temperature increase will expose more people to dangerous levels of heat.
It will reduce biodiversity and available food.
And devastate coral reefs and decrease fish stocks.
At 2.0ºC the affects become even more destructive.
The steps taken in the next few years will determine whether or not we can get on track to avoid the worst consequences of climate change. Now is the time to take climate action.
This is the projected situation on a global scale, but how does it affect you?
Below, you can input your date of birth to see what temperatures you will likely experience over your lifetime.