What is Global surface temperature?
Global surface temperature (GST) is the average temperature of Earth's surface at a given time. It is a combination of sea surface temperature and the near-surface air temperature over land, weighted by their respective areas. Temperature data comes mainly from weather stations and satellites. To estimate data in the distant past, proxy data can be used, for example, from tree rings, corals, and ice cores.
Why does it matter?
Observing the rising GST over time is one of the many lines of evidence supporting the scientific consensus on climate change, which is that human activities are causing climate change. Understanding global surface temperature is crucial for predicting and mitigating the effects of climate change on our planet.
Key facts
- Temperature data comes mainly from weather stations and satellites.
- The longest-running temperature record is the Central England temperature data series, which starts in 1659.
- The longest-running quasi-global records start in 1850.
- The global average and combined land and ocean surface temperature show a warming of 1.09 °C (range: 0.95 to 1.20 °C) from 1850–1900 to 2011–2020.
- The trend is faster since the 1970s than in any other 50-year period over at least the last 2000 years.
History of global surface temperature measurement
The series of reliable temperature measurements in some regions began in the 1850–1880 time frame, which is called the instrumental temperature record. The Central England temperature data series, which starts in 1659, is the longest-running temperature record. Quasi-global records started in 1850.
Examples and observations
- Through 1940, the average annual GMST increased, but was relatively stable between 1940 and 1975.
- Since 1975, it has increased by roughly 0.15 °C to 0.20 °C per decade, to at least 1.1 °C (1.9 °F) above 1880 levels.
- The current annual GMST is about 15 °C (59 °F), though monthly temperatures can vary almost 2 °C (4 °F) above or below this figure.
Relation to climate change
The rising GST over time is one of the many lines of evidence supporting the scientific consensus on climate change, which is that human activities are causing climate change. The trend is faster since the 1970s than in any other 50-year period over at least the last 2000 years.
Relation to Apiary mission
While the Apiary mission focuses on bee conservation and self-governing AI agents, the global surface temperature is an important aspect of the climate that affects the environment in which bees live and thrive.
FAQ
What is the difference between GMST and GST? There is no difference between GMST and GST, as they refer to the same concept – the average temperature of Earth's surface at a given time.
How long does the trend of rising GST last? The trend of rising GST has been observed since the 1970s and continues to the present day, with some variability in temperatures due to natural internal variability.
What is the current annual GMST? The current annual GMST is about 15 °C (59 °F).
What is the difference between natural internal variability and climate change? Natural internal variability refers to the natural fluctuations in temperature that occur due to factors such as El Niño-Southern Oscillation, whereas climate change refers to the long-term warming trend caused by human activities.
How accurate are temperature measurements? Temperature measurements are accurate, with a range of 0.95 to 1.20 °C for the global average and combined land and ocean surface temperature from 1850–1900 to 2011–2020.