Facts, Evidence & Statistics for Climate Change

Climate warming stripes illustrate the annual average temperature in UK from 1884 to 2023.

Climate change is supported by extensive scientific data from around the world. This page brings together the most widely accepted facts, figures and trends to show how the climate is changing, both globally and in the UK. These indicators are measured by national agencies, international bodies and long-term observation.

Key Scientific Evidence for Climate Change

The science behind climate change is based on long-term measurement and analysis. Changes in global temperature, the cryosphere, atmospheric composition and ocean systems are observed through satellite data, ground measurements and historic records. Together, these indicators offer clear and consistent evidence that the Earth’s climate is warming.

Evidence for climate change comes from multiple sources. These include rising global temperatures, changes in ice and sea levels, and shifting weather patterns.

Rising Global Temperatures

Global temperature records show a clear upward trend. The World Meteorological Organization reported that 2023 was the warmest year on record, with temperatures around 1.48 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average. In the UK, data from the Met Office shows a rise of about 1.2 degrees Celsius since the 1960s.

Melting Ice and Rising Sea Levels

Arctic sea ice has declined significantly since the 1970s, particularly during the summer minimum. Glaciers are shrinking across the Alps, Andes and Himalayas. At the same time, global sea levels have risen by around 20 centimetres since 1900, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Changing Weather Patterns

Observed weather patterns show more frequent heatwaves, changing rainfall and an increase in extreme events. In the UK, summers are getting hotter and drier while winters tend to be wetter. Short, intense rainstorms are now more common, contributing to flash flooding.

Is Climate Change Real?

The question of whether climate change is real is answered by the data. Observable changes to temperature, weather patterns and environmental systems confirm that the climate is changing. Scientists across disciplines and institutions continue to report consistent findings using independent methods.

What Scientists Agree On

Scientific agreement on climate change is well established. Studies of peer-reviewed literature show that more than 99 percent of climate scientists agree that the climate is changing and that human activity is the main cause. The IPCC reports this with high confidence.

What You Can Observe Around You

Changes are visible at the local level. In the UK, trees flower earlier and pollen seasons last longer. Sea levels around the coast have risen by more than 16 centimetres since 1900. Flooding and extreme heat events are affecting homes, transport and health.

Climate Change by the Numbers

Climate data gives us a long-term view of how the planet is changing. This information is drawn from decades of satellite records, temperature logs, ice core samples and ocean monitoring. These statistics are not isolated figures; they show clear trends over time and are used by climate researchers, policymakers and governments to plan for the future.

Understanding climate change through numbers helps make the trends more tangible. The figures that follow are drawn from widely accepted datasets compiled by national and international monitoring bodies, including the Met Office, NOAA and the IPCC.

Global Climate Statistics

Atmospheric carbon dioxide has risen from 280 parts per million in the 1800s to over 420 parts per million today. Oceans now absorb more than 90 percent of the excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases. The last eight years have been the warmest on record globally.

UK Climate Statistics

Met Office records show that nine of the ten warmest years in the UK have occurred since 2003. The first 40 degree Celsius day in the UK was recorded in 2022. Alongside this, winter rainfall has increased and heatwaves are lasting longer.

Additional Climate Facts

Some of the most compelling indicators of climate change lie in how it affects ecosystems, economies and daily routines. From crop yields to public health, the ripple effects of a warming planet reach into every part of life. These facts help show that climate change is not just an environmental issue, but a broad challenge with social and economic consequences.

Beyond the core trends, climate change is having a range of secondary impacts that are often less discussed. These include changes to ecosystems, economic effects and shifting patterns in human health and wellbeing.

Surprising Impacts of Warming

As temperatures rise, some crops are growing in new areas. Vineyards are expanding northwards in England. Wildlife migration patterns are changing, and longer pollen seasons are affecting allergies. These impacts show how warming influences ecosystems and daily life.

Record-Breaking Weather Events

Recent years have seen extreme weather events across Europe and the UK. July 2022 was the driest in England since 1935. The 2023 European heatwave resulted in tens of thousands of excess deaths. Storms such as Eunice and Arwen brought widespread disruption.

Learn More

• Understand the distinction in What’s the Difference Between Weather and Climate?

Climate Change Facts FAQs

What are the most important facts about climate change?
Global and regional data show rising temperatures, changing rainfall, sea level rise and more frequent extreme weather.

What evidence proves that climate change is happening?
Long-term measurements of temperature, ice, sea levels and carbon dioxide provide clear and consistent proof.

Is climate change real or exaggerated?
Climate change is real. Observations from across the world confirm this, and the scientific consensus is strong.

What statistics show climate change in action?
Rising global temperatures, shrinking glaciers, increased flood risk and longer heatwaves all reflect the changing climate.

Sources:

• https://wmo.int/news/media-centre/climate-change-indicators-reached-record-levels-2023-wmo
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c74w1gyd7mko
• https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-arctic-sea-ice-summer-minimum
• https://www.ipcc.ch/
• https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-atmospheric-carbon-dioxide

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