Fact Check: The average global temperature has risen approximately 1.1°C since the late 19th century.

Fact Check: "The average global temperature has risen approximately 1.1°C since the late 19th century."

What We Know

The claim that the average global temperature has risen approximately 1.1°C since the late 19th century is supported by multiple authoritative sources. According to the NASA Earth Observatory, the average global temperature has indeed increased by a little more than 1°C (or about 1.9°F) since 1880, with significant warming occurring particularly since 1975. This warming trend is largely attributed to human activities, especially the emissions of greenhouse gases.

Additionally, the IPCC climate report corroborates this finding, stating that Earth's global surface temperature has increased by around 1.1°C compared to the average from 1850-1900. This increase is significant as it marks a level of warming not seen for approximately 125,000 years.

Further analysis from NASA indicates that most of the warming has occurred in the last 40 years, with the seven most recent years being the warmest on record. This aligns with findings from the Global Sea Level Change report, which notes that Earth was about 1.36°C warmer in 2023 than in the late 19th-century preindustrial average.

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is robust and comes from multiple reputable scientific organizations, including NASA and the IPCC. The data from NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) is particularly credible, as it is based on comprehensive analyses of temperature records from over 26,000 weather stations globally, along with satellite data. The GISS temperature analysis is noted for its accuracy, with a confidence level of 95% within 0.1 degrees Fahrenheit for the most recent period (source-2).

The IPCC report is also a critical source, as it synthesizes findings from numerous climate studies and is widely regarded as the authoritative voice on climate science. The consistency of the findings across different studies and organizations enhances the reliability of the claim.

While some sources, such as the NOAA, may report slightly different figures due to variations in baseline periods and methodologies, the overall trend of warming remains consistent. The minor discrepancies do not undermine the validity of the claim but rather highlight the complexities involved in climate data analysis.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that the average global temperature has risen approximately 1.1°C since the late 19th century is accurate. The evidence from multiple credible sources consistently supports this figure, indicating a significant and concerning trend in global warming primarily driven by human activities.

Fact Check: The average global temperature has risen approximately 1.1°C since the late 19th century.