Fact Check: The average global temperature has risen by approximately 1.1°C since 1880.

Fact Check: "The average global temperature has risen by approximately 1.1°C since 1880."

What We Know

The claim that the average global temperature has risen by approximately 1.1°C since 1880 is supported by multiple reputable sources. According to the NOAA Climate.gov, the global average surface temperature has indeed increased by about 1.1°C since the late 19th century. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that the global temperature anomaly for 2024 was 1.29°C above the 20th-century average, indicating a significant increase since the pre-industrial period (1850-1900). Similarly, NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies confirms that the average global temperature has increased by at least 1.1°C since 1880, with most of the warming occurring since 1975 at a rate of approximately 0.15 to 0.20°C per decade (NASA Earth Observatory).

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) also supports this finding, stating that the global surface temperature reached approximately 1.1°C above the 1850-1900 average during the period from 2011 to 2020 (IPCC Sixth Assessment Report).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is robust and comes from multiple authoritative sources, including NOAA and NASA, both of which are recognized for their scientific rigor and credibility in climate research. The consistency in findings across these organizations strengthens the reliability of the data.

The NOAA report indicates that the average rate of warming since 1850 has been about 0.11°C per decade, which aligns with the findings from NASA that highlight a more pronounced warming trend since 1975 (NOAA Climate.gov, NASA GISS). The IPCC's assessment adds further credibility by providing a comprehensive review of climate data and attributing the observed warming primarily to human activities, particularly greenhouse gas emissions (IPCC Sixth Assessment Report).

While some sources may present slightly varying figures due to differences in methodologies or time frames, they all converge on the conclusion that global temperatures have risen significantly since the late 19th century. For instance, the Wisconsin DNR also confirms an increase of about 1°C since 1880, which is consistent with the other reports.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that the average global temperature has risen by approximately 1.1°C since 1880 is accurate, as corroborated by multiple credible sources, including NOAA, NASA, and the IPCC. The data consistently show a significant increase in global temperatures, primarily attributed to human-induced factors.

Fact Check: The average global temperature has risen by approximately 1.1°C since 1880.