 |
The earth is heating at a rate faster
than at any time in the last 10,000 years. The 90’s were the hottest decade
of the millennium, even though between 1000 AD and 1880 scientists believe the
earth had been undergoing a slight but steady cooling trend (Sources: IPCC,
www.heatisonline.org). |
|
The 11 hottest years on record have occurred since 1980. 7 of the 10
hottest years took place in the last decade. 1998 was the hottest year in recorded
history, 2001 was the second hottest, and 1997 was the third. 2001 was the warmest
winter in US recorded history (Source: IPCC,
National Climatic
Data Center). |
|
Arctic temperatures during the late 20th century are the warmest in
400 years. During the 20th century, the annual duration of lake and river ice
cover in the mid and high latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere declined by about
two weeks (Source: Environmental Protection
Agency). |
|
Polar ice caps have decreased by 40 percent since the 1960’s.
Sea level has risen 4-10 inches during the past 100 years. Since the 1950s Northern
Hemisphere spring and summer sea-ice decreased by about 10 to 15 percent and
Alaska has warmed by an average of 4 degrees Fahrenheit (Source: EPA and Global Warming: Early Warning Signs). |
|
Most of earth's glaciers are retreating at accelerating rates. The
biggest glacier in the Peruvian Andes was retreating by 14 feet a year 20 years
ago. Today it is retreating 99 feet a year. (Source: EPA) |
|
The surface waters of the Eastern Pacific have warmed by 2 degrees
in the last 20 years – independent of El Nino. This has led to a 70 percent
decline in zooplankton, a five percent decline in fish populations, the wholesale
death of seals and sea lions, and a 90 percent decline in the population of
a species of sea bird (Source: www.heatisonline.org). |
|
Coral Reefs are home to over 25 percent of all marine life and are
among the world's most fragile and endangered ecosystems. In the last few decades
over 35 million acres of Coral Reefs have been obliterated and reefs off of
93 countries have been damaged, largely due to climate change (Source: Union
of Concerned Scientists). |
|
In the past 100 years California’s average surface temperature
has increased 2 degrees F. Since 1850, California has lost 80% of its coastal
wetlands, 96% of its interior wetlands, and 99% of its valley grassland. In
the last 100 years California has seen precipitation decrease by 10 to 25 percent
in many regions (Source: Union
of Concerned Scientists). |
