Key facts
59°FEarth's average temperature
0°Fwhat it would be with no greenhouse effect
71%of the surface is ocean
~90%of extra trapped heat goes into the oceans
The natural greenhouse effect is what makes Earth livable.
The connected systems
Atmosphere
Carries heat and moisture around the globe
Oceans
Store heat and carbon, and drive weather
Ice
Reflects sunlight back to space
Life
Plants pull carbon dioxide from the air
What scientists measure
| Measurement | Recent reading |
|---|---|
| Carbon dioxide in the air | About 420+ parts per million (about 280 before 1800) |
| Global average temperature | About 1.2–1.3 °C (2 °F) warmer than the late 1800s |
| Sea level | Rising a few millimeters a year |
| Arctic summer sea ice | Smaller than in the 1980s |
Figures from NOAA and NASA; scientists continue to refine them.
Sources: NOAA; NASA
Remember
Earth's climate is a connected system; measuring air, ocean and ice together shows how it is changing.
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Answer key
- What keeps Earth warm enough to live on?The natural greenhouse effectGreenhouse gases trap heat.
- About how much of Earth's surface is ocean?71%About 71 percent.
- Where does most of the extra trapped heat go?Into the oceansAbout 90 percent goes into the oceans.
- What do plants remove from the air?Carbon dioxidePlants absorb carbon dioxide.
- About what is carbon dioxide in the air today?About 420+ ppmAbove 420 parts per million.